Jan. 16, 2019 | Sermon Notes

 These are notes from a sermon message heard at First Baptist Church of Atlanta. To hear the message, please visit their website here. My notes are only meant to be a guide to assist in your Bible study. Enjoy! :)

Date: January 16, 2019

Preacher: Dr. Anthony George

Title:

Base Verse: Colossians 4:2

1. I want to grow in prayer.
1. Colossians 4:2 NLT
2. Pray with an alert mind
1. concentration
2. expectation
3. thankful heart
1. mindful of what has already been done
2. thankful for prayers that are not yet answered
   
2. I want to grow in influence.
1. Colossians 4:3
1. evangelism
2. 2 Timothy 4:5 NKJV
1. We are not all called to be full time missionary evangelists, but we are all to share Christ with unbelievers
2. Evangelism is one of the most neglected aspects of Christianity.
3. “The Autopsy of a Dying Church”
1. Many churches are going down or being put up for sale.
2. Many reasons for this
1. decline due to losing sight of evangelism
2. We like to make church to be about us; keeping it fun inside the church walls, but there are people outside dying to hear the gospel.
3. Remember: We are here for the people who are not yet here.
4. Break down Colossians 4:3-4 NASB; Pray for:
1. “That God will open to us a door for the word” For the chance to share Christ
2. “that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ” For the courage to share Christ
3. “that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak” For the clarity to share Christ
5. For whom is your heart breaking because they do not know the saving grace of Christ?
3. I want to grow in character.
1. Performance vs. Character
1. Performance: the way we act; learned behaviors from growing in church; what's done to appear like a Christian(like, avoiding cursing inside church)
2. Character: how you really are without locational mannerisms; differences in what you say to non-believers and believers about certain topics.
2. Colossians 4:5-6 NLT
3. The understanding of Christian character:
1. My wisdom is a witness.
1. don't be no fool; reckless
2. Unbelievers watch the choices we make.
3. Even if we don't agree, deep down there will be a respect.
2. My interactions are opportunities.
1. Even if I'm not sharing the gospel, how I interact with others ought to show Christ living in me.
3. My reactions are revealing.
4. Who you really is not who you are on Sunday. It is who you are the other 6 days of the week.
5. We can hoodwink other Christians but unbelievers see through the facade.

Checklist for Character Growth

1. Rise above pettiness.
1. Petty: of little or no importance
2. Making a big deal of the smallest things
2. Release all grievances.
1. They've moved on but you still stuck. Let it go.
3. Restrain your words.
1. Proverbs a day: summed up--be quiet.
2. Learn to pause before speaking
3. Learn to wait before sending
4. Place a high value on your silence.
4. Renew your mind.
1. The battle for your mind is continual.
2. Romans 12
3. Renewing your mind: exposes delusional thinking; confronts unbiblical assumptions; cleanses from impurity; restores mental clarity
5. Reconsider your outlook.
1. How could what I'm going through help me with someone else?
2. What message is my attitude sending to others?
3. Whom can I serve during this time?
1. discouraged attitudes typically are self centered
2. instead of blaming your situation or lack of something, consider what you can do right now.