Acts of Defiance: Expectations

Series: Acts of Definance
Defying Expectations, by Rick Shurtz, July 27, 2008
In this series, Rick has addressed defying our circumstances, defying our insecurities and finally, the most personal, defying expectations. However, this one had a twist: the focus was NOT other’s expectations of us, but our expectations for ourselves.

1. Before the message, we heard the song “Be Like That” by 3 Doors Down. Taking on the theme of the song, Rick asked us whether we’d ever had one of those “be like that” dreams. Have you? If so, who did you imagine being like? How did you see your life being different? Take a few minutes just to share one of your “imaginings” about being someone else – real or ficticious – if only for awhile? Is there anyone else’s shoes you’d like to be in now? If so, talk about that too. (5 - 10 minutes)

2. As Rick got into the idea of expectations about ourselves, he described two different types of expectations: low and high… and he used examples of people and situations recorded in the Bible to illustrate each one. The first was Moses, who when God gave him an assignment, was quick to say he was not up to the task. He had low expectations about his ability. As Rick said, most of us have had at least SOME experience in thinking we were not capable of doing something. Try to think of one episode like that… or maybe it was a who period in your life. Take time for those who feel comfortable to talk some about when that was for them. (10 minutes)

3. The next story was Saul, who clearly had a very high opinion of himself… so much so that he went around building monuments to himself. Now, we’ll get to the high expectations… but before we do, jump into this idea of monuments. Now, few people to today besides potentates build literal monuments to themselves, but that doesn’t mean that people don’t build substitute “monuments” to themselves. Kick that idea around for a few minutes. Know anyone who has been busy building some kind of monument to themselves? Talk about any examples of substitute monuments that people build and also discuss why we do that. (10 minutes)

4. Now for those high expectations: Maybe you’ve had periods like that in your own life… the “I can do anything” times. Spend a minute thinking any examples of that in your own life. What was the experience like? Did you have any situations where you couldn’t do what you thought you could? Take some time to share about that. (10 minutes)

5. Rick’s last example was of David, and specifically, David’s head-to-head with Goliath. As you can read in Samuel (some verses below), David stood up to Goliath because he knew God was with him. Rick’s message was that both high and low expectations are often self-absorbed, whereas David was God-focused, and with God was able to accomplish a BIG victory against a BIG challenge. Have you ever had an experience like that… where you followed God’s lead, relied on Him, and were able to do more than you ever expected? Or if not you, you’ve seen it in someone else you know? Share any stories – and don’t worry about bragging… these are stories that honor God – not to us – and they can be very encouraging. (10 - 15 minutes)

6. So as you’ve thought and talked about this, have you felt any discomfort with where your expectations are right now? Take some time to think about this, and if you need to have further discussion with God about this – make an appointment with to do that this week – and write it down. And if you think you are being nudged on an assignment you didn’t feel you could manage (like Moses), be sure to remember God’s words to Moses: “I will be with you”. (10 minutes)

Bible Verses from the Message

“I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of the land into a good and spacious and, a land flowing with milk and honey…the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.
Exodus 3:7-9

“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:10

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
Exodus 3:11

“I have never been eloquent neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10

Saul was as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else. 1 Samuel 9:2

Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor…” 1 Samuel 15:12

“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as King.” 1 Samuel 15:23

God is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17:25

…he has defied the armies of the living God. 1 Samuel 17:36

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear…The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:36-37

You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Samuel 17:45

And God said, I will be with you… Exodus 3:12

Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9

Want to get more/go farther?

• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Need personal help with something big (or little)? Biblically-based professional counseling is available with Merry Fiske.
• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the virtual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.

Acts of Defiance: Defy Insecurity

Series: Acts of Defiance
Insecurity by Rick Shurtz, July 20, 2008

This week, Rick continued the “Acts of Defiance” series with one of the toughest acts of defiance – defying what we think about ourselves. There’s an old saying that when a minister gets personal he’s “stopped preaching and started meddling”. Well, this week Rick started meddling. He posed some questions that asked us look at things about our past that could be difficult or painful. So let’s avoid those - ;-) … at least for awhile. But before you start this discussion, make sure you have some paper and pen/pencil handy - and a trash can - for when the discussion does start to meddle.

1. Since one of Rick’s topics was the names we call ourselves let’s talk about nicknames. Did you or do you have one? Have your ever given one to someone else – or known someone who had an interesting nickname? Think of a nickname you know something about and then share about the who, why or how of yours or another’s nickname. Be sure to talk about whether the name is one that you or the person liked or disliked – if you know - and why. (10 minutes)

2. In a relevant Bible passage, Rick talked about the story of Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader in Jesus’ time, who came to talk to Jesus (see passages below) about “the Kingdom of God”. This is when Jesus used the term “born again”. Rick talked about how that term has taken on all sorts of different meanings since it had it’s own “rebirth” during the 60’s. Take some time to talk about that: When you hear the term “Born Again” what sort of ideas/images/people come to mind? After you’ve had a chance to talk about different types of impressions, then talk about what you think Jesus may have meant when He used the term. (You can read the entire episode in John 3: 1 – 21). (10 minutes)

3. Next, let’s go back to last week’s lesson, when Rick asked us to think about the question “What is trying to define your life?” Did you have any new insights or answers to that question over the last week? Take some time to talk about any ideas you may have had and whether you think these are things God would want you to defy. If you did not have a chance to think about this during the last week – do you have any ideas about how your might answer the question now? (5 - 10 minutes)

4. In this week’s message, one of the “somethings” that Rick said we need to defy are false and/or old impressions of who we really are. He asked us to write down those “names” we call ourselves on old baggage tags and then leave them behind. We can leave them behind because if we have accepted Christ’s sacrifice for us, we are new people (born again?). Did you write down a name or names? If so, how did it feel leaving it behind? Before we start meddling in this discussion – talk for a minute in general about peoples feelings about giving up the ideas of themselves that they have carried around. In particular, talk about any reasons why it is so hard to leave an old name behind. (5 - 10 minutes)

5. Now for our meddling: Since it is hard to give up a name, maybe it’s worth doing again. Or maybe there are some new names you’ve thought of since the message Sunday. Or maybe you didn’t get a chance to leave your names behind. So, try to recreate the exercise. Take a few minutes to think about your identity. What are the names you call yourself that are or can be dead and buried with Jesus? Use the paper you have to write down those names. Next, take some time for those who feel comfortable to talk about the names that you have gotten rid of… or WANT to get rid off. Then think back about what Jesus meant by “born again”. Knowing that when you are a new spiritual creating in Christ those names are past – throw them away! When you are ready, wad up that paper and throw it in the trash. It’s gone. That’s what Jesus has done - He has and will take out the trash in our lives. This is sure worth adding a moment of thanks over. (10 minutes)

6. Close by sharing some ideas about to keep from digging back through the trash. If anyone has had success with this – permanent or temporary – what worked for you? (10 minutes)

Bible passages from the message
“Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
John 3:2

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
John 3:3

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”
John 3:4

“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and you do not understand these things?”
John 3:10

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27

"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days." Joel 2:28-29

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. 1 John 3:15

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

Want to get more/go farther?

• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Want support in some specific area of your life? There are different ways to get help at Gateway's Support and Recovery ministries. Check it out.
• Need help understanding or getting rid of some "name" from your past? Merry Fiske is a Biblically based professional councelor who can help you think through those sorts of issues.
• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the virtual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.

Acts of Defiance: Defy Circumstances

Series: Acts of Defiance
Circumstances by Rick Shurtz, July 13, 2008
Note: before you start thinking about these questions, try to have a Bible handy and read the main passage Rick used for this message: the story of Joseph in Genesis 37 and 39 – 41 (and continuing through 47 if you have the time or get caught up in the story). Some of the main passages are below, but it’s nice to read the whole story if you have time. You can also get the passage quickly by putting in the verses above at Bible Gateway.

This week Rick Shurtz began a three-week series on Acts of Defiance. Rick gave us some some well-known examples of people who chose an act of defiance over their own personal circumstances:

• The “unknown rebel”, who faced down the tanks in Tiananmen Square.
• Ruby Bridges who braved a hostile mob to be the first black child to attend an all-white school in the South
• Lance Armstrong, who came back from battling cancer to win the Tour de France seven times
• Nelson Mandela who defied the Apartheid regime in South Africa only to be imprisoned for 27 years and later to bring healing as the first black President of the country.

1. OK – these are situations we all know of – and there are others… some as well-known and some very much out of the spotlight. Can you think of another example… of someone you know or know of, who refused to let others or a situation define how they would live? Try to think of someone like that, and then take some time to share those examples. Were you personally inspired by the one you chose? If so, explain how. (10 – 15 minutes)

2. While you probably were able to come up with several examples, most of us would say that these are the exceptions rather than the rule. So talk about that for a minute. Why is it that “acts of defiance” like the ones described, tend to be more rare than common-place? Try to list some of the reasons why “defiers” like these are different from most people. (10 minutes)

3. Rick asked us to ask ourselves a question: “What is attempting to define you?” He mentioned some examples of the types things in our lives that tend to either define who we are, or “dictate” how we will live? Try to create a list of the kinds of things that shape people’s lives… sometimes in ways different than what they would otherwise do. (i.e., Rick mentioned the past and kinds of fears as examples). (5 - 10 minutes)

4. In the message, Rick talked about how Joseph was a very important example in the Bible of someone who refused to let the situations in his life make him act differently from what he believed was right. Either read some of the passages below, or the whole Joseph story in Genesis. Now, as you think through the passage, list each of the major circumstances in Joseph’s life and then note what was his reaction to each one… at least as far as we can tell. Which of his reactions do you think is most “surprising” (different from what most people might do/say/think) – if any – and why? (15 minutes)

5. Rick said that Joseph’s reactions were NOT surprising for someone “who was convinced God was with him”. What difference does that make? Take a few minutes to talk to talk about why a strong trust in God’s presence would change someone’s reaction to their circumstances. Is there anything that jumps out at you as a way it would change your reaction to some aspect of your life if you saw God as being with you in the circumstances? Allow some time for anyone who feels comfortable to relate what circumstance they would see differently in their life. (10 minutes)

6. Close by spending some time to think personally about the question Rick asked us to address over the next three weeks: What is attempting to define you? Start your list now… just of one or two things, and then test them out over the next week… Is this what is most attempting to define you? Pray for minute that God will give you insight in the next week to see what might be defining you, and whether He might be encouraging an Act of Defiance in your life. Then try to focus on the those things in your life during the next week and just observe whether you get new insights. (5 minutes)

Bible passages from the message:

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph… Genesis 39:1-2

“How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her. Genesis 39:9-10
She caught Joseph by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. Genesis 39:12

Joseph's master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined. Genesis 39:20

But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Genesis 39:20-23

The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him. Genesis 40:23

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream… Genesis 41:1

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39-40
Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. Genesis 45:4-11

Want to get more/go farther?

• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Want support in some specific area of your life? There are different ways to get help at Gateway's Support and Recovery ministries. Check it out.
• Need personal help with something big (or little)? Biblically-based professional counseling is available with Merry Fiske.
• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the virtual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.