BIG IDEA

Your failure is just a part of the stretch.

MESSAGE NOTES:

WHAT: 

Today I want to challenge you to think about failure differently. What if failure isn't something to fear or be ashamed of? What if failure can actually help our faith grow? What if failure is just part of the stretch?

SO WHAT:

Paul, one of the most influential leaders in the history of the church and whose letter to the Romans we've been reading, also understood failure well.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

When I read Paul's words, I see that the two reasons he often failed are

the same two reasons you and I often fail.

• WE FAIL TO STOP. We try to stop doing what we know we shouldn't do, but keep failing.

• WE FAIL TO START. We try to start doing things we know we should do, but keep failing at that too.

“ or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 1 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Not only did Paul fail when it came to sin, but there were also times when Paul felt overwhelmed, weak, and powerless. But rather than being frustrated or angry about his weaknesses, Paul found a way to "delight" or "find pleasure in" those weaknesses. How? Paul understood that his failures and struggles weren't liabilities. They could actually bring him closer to Jesus.

NOW WHAT:

So what do we do when we hit the brick wall that is failure? How do we turn our weakness, sinfulness, or shame into growth?

• Before you fail, get a community.

• When you fail, fall on Jesus.

• When you fail, get back up.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Q1: Have you ever felt like you failed God? What did you learn through that situation?

Q2: Think about an area of your faith where you feel like you're failing right now. Do you need to stop doing something that's hurting your growth, start doing something that would help you grow, or both?

Q3: Have you ever experienced a failure so big that you doubted God could help you?

Q4: How does God help us get back up after our failures?