HABAKKUK—2 IN THE DIP WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE IN THE DIP? I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:1-3 1) LISTEN I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me... Habakkuk 2:1b 2) WRITE Then the LORD replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. Habakkuk 2:2 3) WAIT For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3 mowed` (mo-ade'); an appointment or a fixed time. These things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day. Habakkuk 2:3 LB "See, (Babylon) is puffed up; his desires are not upright... Habakkuk 2:4a THE FIVE WOES TO BABYLON Woe to him who piles up stolen goods... Hab 2:6 Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain... Hab 2:9 Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed... Hab 2:12 Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors... Hab 2:15 Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Hab 2:19 "See, (Babylon) is puffed up; his desires are not upright - but the righteous will live by his faith- Habakkuk 2:4 See also Romans 3:23-26 THREE WORDS TO REMEMBER • BUT THE LORD But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." Habakkuk 2:20
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth. Habakkuk 3:1
LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2
renew: chayah (khaw-yaw'); to renew, to revive, to restore.
CLIMBING OUT OF THE DIP
1) REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAS DONE.
God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. Habakkuk 3:3
His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden. Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps. He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. Habakkuk 3:4-6
2) ACCEPT WHAT GOD IS DOING.
I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. Habakkuk 3:16
3) TRUST WHAT GOD WILL DO.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19
Questions
1) During a very hard time, Habakkuk remembered what God had done in the past. What is one or two of your favorite “God memories?” 2) Describe a time when you had to accept that God was doing something you didn’t like. What brought you to a point of acceptance? 3) Habakkuk apparently had a deeper faith after questioning God’s justice. He resolved total allegiance and devotion to God no matter what. How are you growing to that point? What is the biggest “take-away” from the Habakkuk series for you
Habakkuk 3
YOU GOT IT
Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the LORD has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.” 1 Samuel 10:1 NLT
So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13 NLT
One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” 1 Samuel 16:18 NLT
If you are a follower of Christ, you got it.
In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:6-8 NLT
… And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared! 22So they asked the LORD, “Where is he?” And the LORD replied, “He is hiding among the baggage.” 1 Samuel 10: 21-22 NLT
David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26 NLT
• Being gifted means you have something to give. o We use our gifts in the church. o We use our gifts as the church.
TALK IT OVER
What are some ways God has gifted you? Do you find it easier to see your gifts or other people’s?
What are some ways you hide in your baggage and avoid using the gifts God’s given you?
How could you use your gifts to serve God in the new year?
If God’s given you a gift you’re not currently using, brainstorm some ways you could serve Him with that gift.
UNSTOPPABLE VISION
OUR MISSION: Love, Connect and Grow through knowing God and Serving our community.
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Mark 8:34
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching…Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47
WE HAVE A VISION FOR A CHURCH WHERE
1) EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" They came out of the town and made their way toward him. John 4:28-30
WHAT 3 PEOPLE CAN YOU INVITE TO CHURCH NEXT WEEK?
1) ____ 2) ___ 3) _____
2) EVERYONE IS NEEDED.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable… 1 Cor 12:21-22
3) EVERYONE IS CHANGED.
…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power…and you will be changed into a different person. 1 Samuel 10:6
Think About It.
1) Have you ever been somewhere and didn’t feel welcome? How can you help people feel welcome at our church?
2) Who are the three people you are going to invite to church next weekend? (Remember, if they live out of town, you can still invite them to join us on Facebook.)
3) Describe a time when God used you to make a difference? How are you using your gifts at church? (If you’re not serving at church, where are you going to serve?)
4) How has God changed you in the last year
UNSTOPPABLE PARTNERS
OUR MISSION: “Love, Connect and Grow through knowing God and Serving our community.”
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47
• GOD WANTS US UNITED. • SATAN WANTS US DIVIDED.
All the believers were divided. They didn’t have much of anything in common. Hoarding their possessions and goods they kept as much as they could for themselves. Every now and then, if it wasn’t football season and they weren’t too tired, they would come to church for an hour and leave early to beat the traffic. They loved Jesus when it was convenient for them, yet they were despised by people for their hypocrisy. And very few people got saved. Craig (Groeschel)2:44-47
WE AGREE
1) TO DO ANYTHING SHORT OF SIN TO REACH PEOPLE WITHOUT CHRIST. ...I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:19,22b
2) TO ACCOMPLISH MORE WITH LESS.
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Matthew 25:23
3) TO ACCOMPLISH MORE TOGETHER THAN ALONE.
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. Acts 4:34-35
4) WE ARE A MICROCHURCH WITH A MEGA VISION.
(Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Mark 16:15
5) WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
WILL YOU PARTNER WITH US TO LEAD PEOPLE TO LOVE, CONNECT AND GROW THROUGH KNOWING GOD AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY? _ YES ___ NO
Think About It.
1) What are you most excited about what God is doing at Middle River AG and why? 2) God has given you unique gifts. How can you use your gifts in God’s church to make a difference?
UNSTOPPABLE IDIOTS BECOME UNSTOPPABLE. OUR MISSION: LOVE, CONNECT AND GROW THROUGH KNOWING GOD AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY. It was (God) who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of ministry... Ephesians 4:11-12a
• GOD DOESN’T CALL THE PREPARED, BUT HE PREPARES THE CALLED.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 idiotes (id-ee-o'-tace); an ignoramus, an ignorant or unlearned person, an idiot. IDIOTS WHO HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS
1) GIVE THEIR WHOLE LIVES TO HIM. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"... Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:8, 10b-11
2) BECOME UNSTOPPABLE.
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:38-39
• HOW DOES GOD WANT TO USE YOU TO PARTNER WITH OTHER BELIEVERS AT MIDDLE RIVER A/G?
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 THINK ABOUT IT. 1) We talked about how God doesn’t call the prepared, but He prepares the called. Describe a time used you to make a difference even though you felt unqualified. 2) Are you “all-in” spiritually? If not, what are you holding back from God? 3) How does God want you to partner with others at Middle River A/G?