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    Resource Details

    Holy Mess Batman

    Doug Fields | July 30, 2017

    When we examine the lives of superheroes, they all have one thing in common . . .mess and pain in their past. Even the 12 disciples who spent every moment with Jesus had messiness in their lives. Did you know that it’s the messiness that can lead to authentic growth and freedom from the past? In this message at Saddleback Church, Author Doug Fields tells us how to come to grips with our messiness and draw closer to God through the pain. Find out how to become an everyday hero in spite of your brokenness.

    Message Action Plan

    Message Action Plan

    I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate . . . I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.        Romans 7:15, 18b-19 (NLT)

    • Judas - “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” Matthew 26:15
    • Jesus - “Tonight all of you will desert me.” Matthew 26:31
    • Peter - “Even if everyone deserts you, I will never desert you.” Matthew 26:33
    • Jesus - “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:38
    • While Jesus is being arrested – “. . . one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.”Matthew 26:51

    For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I’m not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God’s church. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10(NLT)

    Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses. . . For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10(NLT)

    For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Hebrews 10:10(NLT)

    Sanctification: the process of becoming holy.

    And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18b(NLT)

    Option #1:Spiritual Apathy . . . “I don’t care”

    Action Plan: Subscribe to DriveTime Devotions and listen to Pastor Tom Holladay teach through the Bible for 10 minutes every day. Go toDriveTimeDevotions.comor download the app.

    Option #2: Spiritual Acting             . . . “I perform or pretend”

    “You won’t go wrong in following their teachings . . . But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don’t live it. They don’t take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It’s all spit-and-polish veneer . . . You’re like manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright, but six feet down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh. People look at you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin you’re total frauds.”    Matthew 23:2-3,27-28(Message)

    Action Plan:  Do you have at least one person that you are completely honest and open with? If not, ask a good, trusted, Christ-following friend for coffee and begin letting them into your “mess”.    

    Option #3: Spiritual Adventure      . . . “I keep following”

    And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  Philippians 1:6(NLT)

    Action Plan: List your biggest dreams that you’d like to accomplish for God’s glory.  Find your next step in that journey and finish a small task this week that brings you closer to that goal. 

    Doable Discipleship: This week’s episode of the Doable Discipleship podcast takes a look at what it means to love God with all of your mind. To watch or listen,click here.

    More from this series

    More from this series

    Everyday Heroes
    June 18 - August 6, 2017
    • How To Be More Heroic
      August 6, 2017
    • Holy Mess Batman
      July 30, 2017
    • Finding Everyday Strength
      July 23, 2017
    • What Can God Do Through You?
      July 16, 2017
    • The Paradox of Being a Hero
      July 9, 2017
    • Everyday Heroes in the Home
      July 2, 2017
    • Heroic Singleness
      June 24, 2017
    • What Makes a Hero?
      June 18, 2017
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