HOW GOD PREPARES A BANQUET IN OUR BATTLES
SERMON OUTLINE
GOD IS GOOD, NO MATTER WHAT! (Psalm 23) series – Part 6
Pastor Mike Prah – June 17, 2018
“You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch.” Psalm 23:5a (GW)
I. WHAT KIND OF BANQUET IS THIS?
– GOD IS THE HOST “You”
– IT IS WELL PLANNED “Prepare a banquet”
– I’M THE GUEST OF HONOR “For me”
– THE BANQUET IS ON A BATTLEFIELD “while my enemies”
– IT’S IN PUBLIC, NOT SECRET “watch”
II. WHO IS MY ENEMY? – WHAT FORCES OPPOSE GOD’S BEST FOR ME?
ENEMY #1: THE WORLD AROUND ME.
Jesus “In this world, you will have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration but take heart . . . because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b (Amp)
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
ENEMY # 2: SATAN IS AGAINST ME
“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, who is your great enemy” 1 Peter 5:8 (TLB)
“Our fight is not really against people on earth . . . but against the forces of evil in the spiritual world.” Ephesians 6:12 (TLB
ENEMY #3: MY OLD NATURE INSIDE ME
Paul “. . . Inside me, my old nature is at is at war with my new mind, which wants to do what’s right. But my old self fights back and keeps me struggling with my old patterns and sins.” Romans 7:23
III. WHAT’S ON GOD’S BANQUET MENU?
1. GOD WANTS & WELCOME DEEP FELLOWSHIP WITH ME
“You welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration.” Psalm 5:11 (The Message)
“God is gently calling you from the jaws of distress to an open place of freedom where He has set your table full of the best food!” Job 36:16 (NCV)
2. GOD WANTS TO LAVISH ME WITH HIS GOODNESS, PUBLICLY!
“How great is the goodness you have STORED UP for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” Psalm 31:19 (NLT)
IV. ACTION STEPS
1. FEED ON THE WORD OF GOD
“Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently PONDER it all day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I’ve even become smarter than my teachers since I’ve PONDERED & ABSORBED your counsel. I’ve become wiser than the wise philosophers SIMPLY BY DOING WHAT YOU TELL ME. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; You gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life; that’s why I hate false propaganda” Psalm 103:97-104 (MSG)
2. CHERISH THE GOODNESS OF GOD
“Oh, put God to the test and see how kind He is! See for yourself the way His mercies shower down on all who trust in Him.” Psalm 34:8 (LB)
“How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings. We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness. You are the source of all life! And because of your light, we see the light!” Psalm 36:7-9 (GN)
LIFEGROUP MEETING GUIDE
HOW GOD PREPARES A BANQUET IN OUR BATTLES
GOD IS GOOD, NO MATTER WHAT! (Psalm 23) series – Part 6
Pastor Mike Prah – Week of June 17, 2018
“You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch.” Psalm 23:5a (GW)
SUMMARY:
God has prepared a well-planned banquet for all who believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord. He is the host; you are the guest of honor. His preparations are being made right in front of your enemies. Your enemies are the world, Satan, and the old nature. God is calling you to a deep fellowship with Him and wants to lavish His goodness on you publicly. To live this banquet-while-my-enemies-watch experience, we must feed on God’s Word daily and cherish God’s goodness bestowed upon us. Please select a few of the following questions from each section to discuss during your LifeGroup meeting. God bless you!
1. OPEN YOUR SESSION WITH PRAYER.
2. ICE BREAKER:
Take some time to share what’s going on in your life, testimonies and/or upcoming events. Recognize birthdays and anniversaries.
3. BIBLE DISCUSSION: PICK THE POINTS YOU WANT TO DISCUSS.
SECTION 1: REVIEWING SERMON MESSAGE
(a). What fresh insight did you learn from the sermon?
(b). What character or attributes of God were stated in or implied by the message?
(c). What Bible verse cited in the message stands out to you the most? Why?
SECTION 2: PERSONALIZING SERMON MESSAGE
(a). What did you hear that encouraged or reassured you?
(b). How did the message increase your appreciation for God or Jesus Christ?
(c). Who can share the positive results of obeying the message or the painful consequences of disregarding its truth?
SECTION 3: ENCOURAGING APPLICATION OF THE SERMON
(a). If we diligently apply the message, what effect would it have on your personal lives and your walk with Christ?
SECTION 4: DIGGING DEEPER
““Our fight is not really against people on earth . . . but against the forces of evil in the spiritual world.” Ephesians 6:12 (TLB)
– According to Ephesians 6:12 who is our real enemy?
– Pastor Mike mentioned the “first key to victory is knowing your enemy”. What happens when we mis-identify our real enemy and begin fighting back at people?
– The Bible says we should “Love our enemies”, which is the people Satan is using to fight us. What is the logic in trying to win over “Satan’s agents” with kindness? (Hint: when you win over Satan’s agents with kindness, they are no longer useable by Satan to hurt you)
– Share a situation where someone who was opposing you become a friend because of your kindness towards them.
Paul “. . . Inside me, my old nature is at is at war with my new mind, which wants to do what’s right. But my old self fights back and keeps me struggling with my old patterns and sins.” Romans 7:23
– According to Romans 7:23 how does our old nature works against us?
– Share some of the ways a person can be their own biggest enemy?
– As a believer what spiritual activities can we engage to overcome our old nature?
You welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration.” Psalm 5:11 (The Message)
– According to Psalm 5:11, when you’re going through life struggles you run to God, what will God do for you?
– How does this promise scripture encourage you to maintain deep fellowship with God?
“God is gently calling you from the jaws of distress to an open place of freedom where He has set your table full of the best food!” Job 36:16 (NCV)
– In this life where our well-being is constantly threatened by opposition where we live and work, why does this promise Scripture offer hope?
– Against the backdrop of the wicked, how does God’s invitation to fellowship and acceptance give us peace and encouragement?
“Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently PONDER it all day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I’ve even become smarter than my teachers since I’ve PONDERED & ABSORBED your counsel. I’ve become wiser than the wise philosophers SIMPLY BY DOING WHAT YOU TELL ME. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; You gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life; that’s why I hate false propaganda” Psalm 103:97-104 (MSG)
– Pastor Mike shared “Your banquet is in your Bible which contains about 5,500 promises from God to you. According to Psalm 103:97-104 what are some of the benefits of reading your Bible every day?
– What practical steps can you take to maintain regular daily Bible reading
4. PRAYER TIME – PRAYER POINTS
– Pray for each LifeGroup member to respond positively to this message and to follow-through in application.
– Ask for prayer requests and pray for the individual needs of your group.
– Closing Prayer
PLEASE REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT TO YOUR LIFEGROUP MEETING & CHECK ON ANY ONE SICK OR IN NEED IN YOUR GROUP.
THANKS FOR COMING! PLEASE COME BACK NEXT WEEK! GOD BLESS YOU!