One of the reasons many Christians struggle is because we don’t know how to manage chaos.
We will have trials.
John 16:33(NLT) “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
“Your chaos is not your identity.”
We must remember: Jesus already won.
Championing Chaos
1. Words
Proverbs 18:21(NLT) The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Luke 6:45 (NLT) “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”
“We must see things in the spirit and speak them into existence.” -Prophet Ron Campbell
Psalms 19:14 (NLT) “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
2. Prayers
“We should pray about our situation more than we talk about them.”
“Worrying isn’t praying. “
Philippians 4: 6-8(NLT) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
“There’s a difference between a prayer list and a prayer life.” -Pastor Gerald Brooks
3. Community
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12(NLT) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
At Overflow, we follow Jesus together.
Tale of Two Paralyzed Men John 5 & Mark 2
“As Christians, we function from a place of VICTORY.”
Solid people obey! Genesis 2:16:17 (NLT) 16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”
John 14:15 (NLT) If you love me, obey my commands.
1 John 5:1-3 (NLT) Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome
Obedience reveals how deep our affections are towards God and people.
John 10:27 (NLT) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me
Genesis 22:1-18 (NLT) Some time later, God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”3 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told hima bout. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship, and then we will come back to you.”6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket, he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Walking in the plans and purposes of God for your life will often lead you out of the plans and purposes others have for you.
1. Obedience starts with trust. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) A man makes his plans but the Lord establishes His steps.
Disobedience is disregarding God’s established steps for my own plan.
2. Obedience brings on opportunities to doubt. Doubt cannot dictate our actions.
3. Obedience is always followed by provision. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
4. Obedience will always cost you something but will always result in blessing. Genesis 22:15-18(NLT) 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations onearth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Your obedience, or lack there of, will have generational impact!
5. Obedience requires endurance Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Are you walking in your plans or His steps?
Do you trust Him? If not, why?
What does God need to do in you so that He can work through you?
Jesus reveals pretenders. 1. False Prophets Matthew 7:15–20 (NLT) 15 “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. 16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.
2. The Pharisees Matthew 12:33–37 (NLT) 33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Words: James 3:6–13 (NLT) 6 Among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring. 13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
1.Weigh your words “Sticks and stones will break bones, and words will crush the human spirit.”
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV) A fool gives full vent to his anger but a wise man keeps himself under control.
2. Keep your Word Matthew 5:33–34, 37 (NIV) 33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne…37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
3. Watch your words Matthew 15:11 (NIV) What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.
A. Gossip, slander, accusation. Colossians 4:6 (NIV) Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt… B. Negativity and Coarse language.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up… Colossians 3:8 (NIV) You must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
C. Argumentative and contentious. Proverbs 20:3 (NIV) It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
Deed: Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
1. Be humble Humility: thinking of yourself less.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
2. Be gracious & kind 1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV) Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
3. Be excellent: Bring your best. Excellence is your best in progress.
The lens of identity: Colossians 3:12 (NIV) As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Mark 4:1–20 (NLT) Once again Jesus began teaching by the lakeshore. A very large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat in the boat while all the people remained on the shore. 2 He taught them by telling many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. 4 As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. 5 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 9 Then he said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 10 Later, when Jesus was alone with the twelve disciples and with the others who were gathered around, they asked him what the parables meant. 11 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 12 so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they will turn to me and be forgiven.’” 13 Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables? 14 The farmer plants seed by taking God’s word to others. 15 The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away. 16 The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 17 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 18 The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. 20 And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
The Seed is the Word 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Jesus is the also Word John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
3 Infertile Heart Conditions #1. Hard: Hardness of heart.
#2. Shallow: The shallow emotional hearer.
John 15:16 (NKJV) I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…
“Fast fruit is not always lasting fruit.”
#3. Worldly: A Focus on worldly things
The Process of Fruitfulness Mark 4:20 (NLT) The seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
1. Conception: Heard The word
2. Cultivation: “Accepted it”
Luke 8:18 (NIV) Consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”
Maintaining the ground of a fertile heart: 1. Prepare the soil. 2. Protect the soil. Guard Your garden! Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
3. Fruition! Produced a crop.
A Healthy Heart Condition Heard it- Received it- Produced fruit- Reproduced.
Peter: Matthew 16:13–19 (NIV) 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
1. Peter Heard the word. 2. Peter Accepted The word. 3. Peter Produced fruit.
Jesus positioned us for stability. Psalm 40:1–3 (NIV) 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Matthew 25:14–30 (NLT) 14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. 16 “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. 18 But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. 19 “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. 20 The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ 21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 22 “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ 23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 24 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. 29 To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. 30 Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Blame Shifting:
“Blame shifting is a victim mindset.”
Here, the blame was placed on the Master: Matthew 25:24–25 (NLT) 24 ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid…
Owning Personal Responsibility Galatians 6:1–10 (NIV) 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
1. Develop a healthy perspective about God.
A wise master: Matthew 25:18(NLT) “Dividing it in proportion to their abilities
“A solid view of God will help you develop a solid relationship with God.”
Ways people see God: Santa clause, Darth Vader, ONLY ANGRY, The way we should see God: JESUS.
God is always Good.
Psalm 119:68(NLT) You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees. The goodness of God doesn’t nullify our responsibility.
2. Take responsibility Romans 14:12 (NIV). Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
“The irresponsible will always have excuses.”
3. Maintain a sowing and reaping mindset.
“Fear hides and fear hoards.”
A. You reap what you sow. 3 T’s: Time Talent Treasure.
“The size of the seed is always smaller than the harvest.”
B. You reap how you sow 2 Corinthians 9:6 (NIV) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
C. You reap where you sow.
D. You reap after you sow “If you want to grow it, you have to sow it.”
E. Reaping takes longer than sowing. Galatians 6:9(NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
“Faith or doubt fills the tension between seeing and reaping.”
Psalm 1:1–4 (NIV) 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
See Also (Jeremiah 17:7–8, Ezekiel 47)
Walk, Stand, Sit: A Slippery slope
1. Walk in the counsel of the wicked. “The slippery slope starts with going along for a walk.”
A. Influences/Voices
Offense is a trap, not a virtue. Proverbs 18:19 (NIV) An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city.
B. Counselor/ therapist
2. Stand in the way of sinners.
3. Sit in the seat of mockers.
“When we affirm sin, there is no need for a savior.”
--- 1 Peter 5:8–9 (NIV) 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
Psalm 1:2 (NIV) His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. “Our delight is Jesus & on Jesus, we meditate day & night.”
“Our thought leader is The Living and The Written Word.”
Mental Fortitude Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
1. Build a Mental Framework Colossians 3:1–2 (NIV) 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Our Framework: The Biblical-Christian World view.
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2. Develop your Belief System
If an idea its not worth defending, its not worth having.
3. Guard your gates Philippians 4:8–9 (NLT) 8 Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
4. Advance the message
2 Corinthians 10:1–5 (NIV) 10 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Hebrews 12:28 (NIV) We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.
Psalm 16:8–9 (NIV) I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.
The sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7) Matthew 7:24–28(NIV) 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. *See also Luke 6:46–49
The Storms Proverbs 10:25 (NIV) When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.
Illustration
Storms are seasonal.
“You will face storms; the storm won’t last, but will you last?”
“If you get your foundation right, you can outlast any storm.”
Foundations “In being solid, our emphasis is not perfection but our foundation.”
A Foundation plan
Matthew 7:24(NIV) “Therefore everyone who hearsthese words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
1. Who Hears
2. These words of mine
“We have to get Jesus right!” “Just because its branded Jesus doesn’t mean its Jesus.”
1 John 4:3 (NIV) Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
3. Puts them into practice. Jesus calls us to follow him. Luke 6:46(NIV) “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.Do what it says.
Self-deception is a byproduct of disobedience.
Building a foundation 1. Take Jesus his words seriously. 2. Devote yourself to him and his teaching.
Get over yourself. Matthew 16:24–26 (NKJV) “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
3. Be authentically faithful
“Don’t be fake, be faithful.”
What are you building your life on?
Ministry: John 16:33(NIV) “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
