FOUNDATIONS - WEEK ONE
Susanna Wesly - 1669
Life of uncommon misery and hardship
Beautiful but physically frail women
She had 19 children and only 9 lived to be adults
Husband thrown into debtors prison
Enemies killed her cows
Homeschooled her children six hours a day
She ministered in her home starting in her parole, then filling the house, then moving to the barn
Lived very poor and hard life but was FILLED
Prayed for 2 hours. - read quote
She modeled desperation for God in all she did
Her sons John Welsy (missionary, preacher and denomination founder) and Charles Wesley (hymn)
OUR MISSION:
KNOW GOD, LOVE PEOPLE, SERVE THE COMMUNITY, CHANGE THE WORLD
HOW DO YOU KNOW GOD?
Boils down to relationship
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF KNOWING SOMEONE
Acquaintances
Friendship
Familial
Intimate
WHAT DO SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS REQUIRE?
Successful relationships require:
Communication
Trust
Forgiveness
Intimacy
Acceptance
Friendship
Love
WHEN WE PUT ALL OF THESE PARTS TOGETHER, WE CREATE A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO GOD?
Knowing about God is not enough - We need to know Him personally
READ HIS LOVE LETTER
John 1:1-5 NIV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Ginosko (Greek) Perceive, understand, realize, come to know through experience
1 John 2:3-6 NIV
We know (ginosko) that we have come to know (ginosko) him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
SPEND TIME WITH HIM
*Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. *
LISTEN TO HIS VOICE
John 10:27 NIV
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
My kids know my voice - Call in grocery store
TRUST IN HIM
John 10:28-30 NIV
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.
2 Corinthians 1:20
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
TALK TO HIM
Pray - conversation with God
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE
Example: Moses 33:12-23, 34:6-7. 34:8-14