Dynamic Character | Binding up their wounds

Message Recap

Run all the way THROUGH the line

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How do you handle mistakes?

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[Psalm 51:17]

…a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

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YOU are a dynamic character

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How do you handle wounds?

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[Psalm 19:12]

But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

[Psalm 26:2]

Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.

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Story of David

[I Samuel 16:4-13]

So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” 5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. 6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.

The same situation that can make you HUMBLE can make you VINDICTIVE

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What do you do with those feelings?

[Psalm 23:1-6]

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

[II Peter 1:3]

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

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Pray this Prayer

[Psalm 139:23-24]

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

[Psalm 34:18]

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

[Psalm 147:3]

He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

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Jesus

[Luke 4:16-21]

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. 17 The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”

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Discussion Questions

  • Where do you need to run all the way through the line in order to finish this season strong?

  • How do you typically handle mistakes?

  • How have you handled wounds in the past?

  • Have you ever felt under the surface pain and wondered where it came from?

  • How can we allow our experiences to produce humility, rather than drive us to be vindictive?

Amanda Majors