150104 AM 2015 – Victory in Jesus Introduction

Disciplines and Opportunities That Can Lead You to Victory in 2015   A.  If the Lord wills, 2015 contains a wealth of opportunities. B.  What disciplines and opportunities have the potential to lead us to victory? (1 John 5:1-5)  I.  __________ _____________      A.  Our plan:  1.  Sundays: a psalm (to lift our hearts in worship). 2.  Weekdays: a chapter from the Gospels (to fix our eyes on Jesus), a chapter from Acts or one      of the New Testament epistles (to refresh ourselves on what it means to be followers of      Jesus), and a chapter from the Old Testament (to expand our knowledge of God’s great plan      to save mankind). 3.  Saturdays: a chapter from Proverbs (to grow in wisdom).      B.  Benefits and blessings: 1.  God’s word is the source and fortifier of faith (Rom 10:17) 2.  God’s word produces to life (John 10:10; 1 Pet 1:23-25; John 6:63; 20:31) 3.  God’s word gives hope (Rom 15:4) 4.  God’s word leads to freedom (John 8:32; 17:17) 5.  God’s word is a matchless fountain of wisdom (Prov 1:2-4) 6.  God’s word provides crucial warnings (Prov 7:1-5) 7.  God’s word enables us to defeat the devil (John 8:44; Eph 6:16-17) 8.  God’s word fertilizes great and lasting joy (Psa 1:1-3)  II.  ____________      A.  Our plan: pick a different person each month and pray for them every day. Pray for receptive            hearts, opportunities, wisdom, and boldness. Pray that God might use you to impact them.      B.  Benefits and blessings: “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is            working” (James 5:16).  III. ___________________      A.  Our plan: in an effort to serve through hospitality and develop closer relationships, invite someone            to your home or out for a meal once a month.      B.  Benefits and blessings: the fruit of “glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46-47).  IV.  _____________      A.  Our plan: where are the opportunities to make a difference by serving? Can you host a singing or             Bible study? Can you help an elderly brother or sister around their house? Can you visit someone