Pursuit- Down but Not Out-
Pastor Justin Garland
Part of Pursuit
January 14, 2021

2 cor 4:8-12ESV
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Don’t quit in the middle, don’t lay down in the battle and don’t walk away from your field while the seed is still in the ground. —Dave Patterson
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*Luke 4:1-14 NIV*

4 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’”The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’ ”The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning youto guard you carefully;they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[d]”Jesus answered, “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

1 Corinthians 2:10-12 NIV
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

*Our situations, circumstances or storms do not have the final word in our lives. The final word over us belongs to the Lord, His will and His plans. *

*2 Chronicles 20:12 ESV *
O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

*Daniel 9:17-19 *
“Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 Lord, listen! Lord, forgive!Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

*Like in the days of Daniel- His nation had turned from God- but Daniel didn’t give up, instead, he turned His attention to God- not giving into the broken values of our fallen culture. *

*Like Jesus, we will overcome when we are filled with God’s Word, live in a lifestyle of prayer and are filled with The Holy Spirit. *

This week:
1. Ask God to show you if you are giving into any of the three temptations, that cause oyu to live in a false reality.
2. Ask God to show you how He is using your current season to bring about His Glory and the good that He has in store for you.

Discussion questions
1. In this season of Pursuit, name one area that you have sought God in and found some breakthrough?
2. In past times of struggle, what has kept you grom throwing in the towel and giving up?
3. How can we learn to appreciate the wilderness seasons in our life for what they are, and not dread or live to avoid them?
4. In our current circumstances, and state of our Nation, how can we tune out the noise, and tap into what The Lord is saying?
5. We know that God does not want to “control” us, but desires that we give Him ultimate authority in our lives. How have you done this, and how can you continue to do this?
6. Pray for eachother that we would not be tempted to live according to the patterns of the world, but according to Gods plan for us.