In this message, Doug teaches how to become a safe person. The safer you become, the better your life will become! To listen to other messages by Doug, click here. To subscribe to Doug’s podcast with all of his messages, click here.
Notes:
18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. – Malachi 3:18
My definition of safe: Christlikeness. The more like Christ you are, the safer you will be, the better your life and relationships will be, and the greater the impact you can make on the world.
Book Recommendations: Changes That Heal, How People Grow, Safe People, Boundaries – Henry Cloud
Safe People Constantly Focus On Growing Themselves
“If you want a better world, composed of better nations, inhabited by better states, filled with better counties, made up of better cities, compromised of better neighborhoods, illuminated by better churches, populated by better families, then you’ll have to start by becoming a better person.” -Tony Evans
How do you grow yourself?
1.) Pursue God – you don’t have to give up _ before you pursue God, pursue God and He’ll deal with it . . .
People can be involved in “spiritual growth” for years without significant areas of their life changing. -Cloud
If you’ve been walking with God for a long period of time and have not experienced significant growth, a better life, better relationships, and a greater impact, something is wrong. You’ve probably hit a lid and need to address something! Tonight is all about breaking through the lids that holding us back from all that God called us to be.
2.) Deal with The Issues that God Makes Evident in Your Life
As you pursue God, He will bring issues up that you have to deal with . . . if you don’t deal with them, you’ll get stuck . . . you’ll hit a lid and never grow to your full potential!
Issues you don’t even know how to handle – divorce, things outside of your control
“Sometimes God seems to be killing us when he’s actually saving us.” -Tim Keller
Recognize Patterns – Lying, stealing, bad relationships, self-esteem issues, … patterns reveal roots… What roots do you need to deal with?
Weed the roots, Create new patterns!
Prayer: God what are the patterns in my life that are holding me back from all that you called me to be?
Spiritual poverty is a key in our growth – we must admit our brokeneess.
The sad ting is that many of us come to Christ because we are sinners, and then spend the rest of our lives trying to pretend that we are not.” -Henry Cloud
6 Therefore it says, e“God opposes the proud, but dgives grace to the humble.” -James 4:6
“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” – Margaret Thatcher
Prayer: God develop me as quickly and as solidly as possible!
Safe People Have a Safe Friendships and Communities
The body of Christ is a big part of the delivery system of healing and growth that God has in store for people.
Grace doesn’t just need to come from God, it also has to come through the Body of Christ. If we have one without the other, we will feel guilty.
Your closest relationships are at all times actively working either for or against your growth!
Proverbs 16 – There is a path before each person that seems right, but ends in death.
An alone self is a bad self! We can rationalize and justify anything!
Safe People:
* Draws me closer to God
* Draws me closer to others
* Helps me become the person God created me to be
Community is not helpful if it shields people from the realities of life and the standard they should live up to. -Henry Cloud
How do stay connected to great communities?
- Go to church every week
- Get in a small group or start one
- Get spiritual mentors who have been where you’re at!
- Have a few people you connect with each week for a few minutes to check-in
Prayer: God bring safe people and community into my life!
Safe People Have Safe Mentors/Authority:
IF you’ve had bad authority figures/mentors in your life:
*Recognize that what they said about you may not be true and even if it is, it doesn’t; mean that that is your future
***When someone tells you what you can’t be, they’re predicting a future they don’t control! They don’t know what 25, 35, 45 looks like for you!
Safe Mentors/Authority Figures:
* Draws me closer to God
* Draws me closer to others
* Helps me become the person God created me to be
Who do you have in your life that can call you out?
2 Cor. 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
When you are called out, how you respond to the truth will determine whether or not you grow to the next level… The fool or the wise…
“As painful as it may be, the truth is always your friend! Even though it my be “bad news” at the time, it is always good news for the long haul.”
Be teachable!
Prayer: God, bring Godly mentors and authority figures in my life that will help me grow to my full potential!
The safer you become, the safer the people you will attract will be!
Safe People Help People
Mark 4:30-32 – 30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”
Safe people grow, have great friendships and communities, mentors and authority and as a result provide growth opportunities for others, provide safe friendships, encourage safe communities, and become safe mentor.
God needs you to grow into all that He called you to be and the world needs you to grow into all that He called you to be!
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