Christ Evangelical Free Church Message Notes Pastor Randy Keeley April 25, 2021

Check out: www.christfc.net | www.facebook.com/ChristEFree Ph: 570.386.4547 Connect with Pastor Randy: PastorRandy.CEFC@gmail.com Cell: 518.772.7072

Working it out

1. In what ways does our society promote an “it all depends on me” lifestyle? How can we guard against adopting this lifestyle?

2. Like a pendulum we tend to swing to the extremes: it’s all up to God

or it’s all up to me. How can we maintain a more balanced approach?

3. In what specific ways do you need to depend more on the Lord and

less on yourself?

What are the obstacles that might keep this from happening?

How can you begin to address this issue in your life this week? 4. What are some ways that churches struggle doing ministry in

partnership with the Lord?

What are some specific ways that our church needs to grow in this way?

Praying Through

1. Pray for the specific ways that you need to grow as the result of this study.

2. As we continue the Assess Church Health stage of IPM’s process, ask the Lord to use the Ministry Insight Tool to give us insight into His will and direction for our church.

3. Ask the Lord to help us as a church to discover His will and to grow

through the journey and not just focus on the destination of finding our long-term pastor.

Partnering with God Psalm 127:1-2

Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2

1. When God is at work, __________________________. 2. When God is at work, __________________________.

THINGS HAPPEN

HE USES US

3. When God is at work, __________________________. LIFE LESSONS: Because God is at work… 1. Look for the ways He is working ____________________. 2. Submit to His work ______________. 3. Trust Him to work ____________________.

Reflection – Discussion – Application

Warming up

1. Are you a night owl or a morning dove? What are the benefits of being this way in your life? What are the drawbacks?

2. How has this impacted your life or your family?

Digging In

1. What are some of the heart attitudes of the person described in verse two of Psalm 127?

2. How do these other scripture passages relate to Psalm 127:1-2?

Psalm 37:3-7 Proverbs 3:5-6 John 15:1-8 1 Corinthians 3:6-10 Galatians 2:20 Ephesians 2:8-10 Colossians 1:28-29 Philippians 2:12-13 Hebrews 13:20-21

3. Unless the Lord builds my ____________, I labor in vain? Fill in the

blank with the following words: Family Career Relationships

Church Hobbies Other: ______________

What are the struggles people face in each of the above areas when they try to do it apart from the Lord? How do you struggle when you try to do it apart from the Lord? What do you need to change in this area?

WE CAN REST

AROUND YOU

THROUGH YOU

IN YOU