Calvary Grace Assembly of God
Jul 9 – 16, 2017
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BAD ADVICE
“How did I end up here?” Behind every mess of harmful habits and rough relationships, we can look back and see where we got on the wrong track. In this series we will help attenders untangle their lives by learning how to avoid Bad Advice. Topics covered include drifting from God, addiction, adultery, and dissatisfaction.
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Series: Bad Advice
Message: How to Drift from God
Text: Matthew 13:9-23
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Pastor Tom Cogle
Was there ever a point in your life where you were actually closer to God than you are today? Many times, we don’t even recognize how far we’ve drifted from the strength, the presence, the goodness and the grace of God.
How to Drift from God:
1. NEGLECT YOUR TIME WITH GOD
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1
2. HANG AROUND THE WRONG PEOPLE
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
3. GIVE INTO TEMPTATION
Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:14-15
4. LOVE THIS WORLD MORE THAN YOU LOVE GOD
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 1 John 2:15
IF ALL ELSE FAILS: FAKE IT!
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, Isaiah 29:13
…I know your deeds; you have Revelation 3:1
What do we do?
RETURN TO YOUR FIRST LOVE
…You have Revelation 2:4-5
1. Consider how far you’ve drifted away.
2. Then REPENT – turn back to God
3. “Do the things you did at first.”
· Get passionate about God and His Word again
· Start share your faith again
· Start fasting again
· Make church a necessity, not an option.
· Be filled with the Spirit
· Start serving God with all of your heart
The grace of God is there to take us back in a moment.
We can be intimate with Him again.
That is good advice and Godly advice that can transform all of our lives.