APPROVED

Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

Message By: Pastor Bam Lauvao

Series: FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE: EMBRACING AN EMPOWERED LIFE

“APPROVED"

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24 KJV)

• Condemnation: the expression of very strong disapproval

• Commendation: praise; the expression of approval

• APPROVAL IS OUR SOUL’S DEEP DESIRE FOR ACCEPTANCE

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; (Genesis 1:26 NKJV)

Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;” (Genesis 1:28 NKJV)

1. APPROVAL MEANS THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE CALLED A CHILD OF GOD

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12 NKJV)

2. SEEKING APPROVAL BY POPULARITY, IS REJECTING GOD’S APPROVAL FOR YOU

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10 NIV)

• DON’T BE A PEOPLE PLEASING ADDICT, IT’LL GIVE YOU A HEADACHE

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25 NKJV)

3. GOD’S APPROVAL AFFIRMS THAT YOU’RE FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NKJV)

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV)

Life Group Discussion:

1. Do you struggle with condemnation (the expression of very strong disapproval) and in what way does it change your witness?

2. What does it mean to you personally to be approved as a child of God?

3. Are you a “people-pleasing addict?”Why is this not a spiritually healthy way of living?

4. Do you do more confession or more transformation?How can you break out of the cycle of confession and into a transformed life (hint: your past does not define you)?