WALKING IN WISDOM // Sunday, April 27, 2025 // Jeff Hines, Lead Pastor
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Sunday, April 27, 2025
Walking in Wisdom
God’s Guidance for Daily Living
Practical Application of Biblical Truth
How do you live a Christian life in this post-Christian culture?
Healthy People Grow
Growing People Change
Changed People, Change People
Philippians 3: 8 (NLT)
Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.
Philippians 1: 9 – 11 (NLT)
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
Philippians 3: 12 – 14 (NLT)
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
God wants each of us to grow and mature.
Hebrews 6: 1 & 2 (NLT)
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Maturity is not…
Age
Appearance
Achievement
Academics
Godly maturity is determined by attitude & character,
1 Samuael 16: 7 (NLT)
…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
James 1: 1 (NLT)
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!
James 1: 2 - 4 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
What is your attitude toward life’s challenges?
How do you handle problems?
A healthy perspective to problems
1. Problems are inevitable.
…WHEN troubles…
John 16: 33 (NLT)
…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
1 Peter 4: 12 (NLT)
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through,
as if something strange were happening to you.
2. Problems are unpredictable
…when troubles…come your way…
Peripipto – To fall into unexpectedly
3. Problems are diverse
…troubles of any kind…
4. Problems have a purpose
…your endurance has a chance to grow…
Signs of God’s empowerment:
· Patience: Applies to people.
· Endurance: Applies to problems.
5. Problems purify my faith.
Job 23: 10 (NLT)
But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
6. Problems refine my character.
…you will be perfect and complete…
God’s goal is that we would reflect Him in this world.
Ephesians 4: 24 (ESV)
… put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
How should I face problems?
1. Perspective
…consider it an opportunity for great joy.
2. Petition
James 1: 5 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
3. Peace
James 1: 6 – 8 (NLT)
But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Do you know God?
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