Bethel Community Church Orlando

Emotions: THE HEART

Pastor Robert has spent the last six weeks talking about different emotions. Where do our emotions originate? In the heart. However, from a young age, we are taught to monitor or change our behavior, not change our heart. The religious leaders in Jesus' day were certainly more concerned with managing behavior by following their laws rather than monitoring their hearts. Jesus called this to their attention in Matthew 15 when he told them what is in the heart comes out of the mouth, and that is what defiles a person. How is your heart?

Emotions: JEALOUSY

Although we tend to make light of jealousy, Proverbs 27:4 tells us that jealousy is more cruel and dangerous than anger. This is evident in the life in Joseph. His brothers were so jealous they plotted his murder. Joseph's life was spared, but he was sold into slavery, accused of wrongs he didn't do, and put in prison. By trusting God, Joseph was able to overcome each of these situations. The things Joseph suffered because of his brothers' jealousy should serve as a warning for all us. Jealousy is dangerous! This story has a happy ending though, because Joseph was able to forgive is brothers and restore his relationship with them.

Emotions: DEPRESSION

Why do so many of us carry the weight of depression? Our souls are weighed down with the heaviness of past hurt, the heaviness of present trouble, and the heaviness of an anxious future. Instead of feeling sad or hopeless about our troubles, we can look to God when we feel depressed. We can remember God's faithfulness, cry out to Him, and trust that He is powerful enough to handle the future. May you find rest in Jesus! Put your hope in Him.

Emotions: WORRY

So many of us have a restless soul. We are always searching but never finding the comfort we need. Our anxious and worried souls are never satisfied. The busyness and uncertainty of life exasperates us. The book of Psalms is filled with verses that give our weary souls the recipe for rest. Ultimately, our rest is in God. He alone is the answer to our worry.

Emotions: GUILT

Guilt. We've all experienced it. You may have asked for forgiveness or tried to right your wrongs, but from time to time, you still feel guilty for things from your past. Satan can use that guilt to make us feel condemned, hopeless, and unloved. However, God has the power to cleanse us, defend us, and remove our guilt through Jesus. 

Emotions: DISAPPOINTMENT

By any measure of success, Moses had it all. He was the prince of Egypt. But in a moment of rage, he lost it all. Moses probably felt as though there was no way to recover from the disappointment he had become. God was not finished with Moses though. God taught Moses through Moses' insecurity, insignificance, and isolation. Moses' failure and disappointment was not the end of his service. It actually became God's foundation for Moses' future success.

Emotions: ANGER

Anger is a word we often struggle to clearly define. While anger is not always sinful, it certainly can be. Even God was angry at times, but He never sinned. So, how can we deal with our anger whenever tempers are flaring? We can acknowledge when we are sinful, recognize God's sovereignty, pray that we grow in love, and learn to forgive. Ultimately, through the Holy Spirit, God enables us to replace our anger with forgiveness. 

RE:SET//Re:Pent (Week 7)

Israel had an incredible victory, and they were returning to rebuild their temple. However, it did not take long for before they fell into old habits and sinned against God. Ezra is broken by the decisions of his people. Through repentance, the Israelites could be restored. The same is true today. Change begins with Jesus, continues with confession, and is solidified with repentance.

RE:SET//Re:New (Week 6)

Our relationship with Jesus cannot be reduced to a schedule, but it can be renewed each day. We try to control every aspect of our lives. We schedule and work and try for meaning, fun, purpose, success, and power. Yet we are left wanting and needing more. All of this working and doing is wearing us out, because we are trying to accomplish what only Jesus can. The Gospel saves us and sustains us. Come find rest and renewal in Jesus!

RE:SET//Re:build (Week3)

As King Cyrus was preparing to rebuild the temple in Ezra 3, he understood that it would take people, obedience, and money. As Bethel rebuilds from the events of the last 18 months, we must be unified in our mission, work, and purpose. In order to rebuild, we need to worship together. We also need each person to be involved by giving and serving. Finally, we need to celebrate what God is doing at Bethel.