Catalyst Church of Carrollton

Faith in the Fire

Faithfulness is a process, and it begins with the posture of the heart.

1 Peter 4:12–13

“Do not be surprised by the fiery trial”

 

The Parable of the Sower Luke 8: 1- 15

Adversity Tests Our Witness

Matthew 5:11–12

Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness.

How We Treat Others Matters

Matthew 25:31–46

Separating the Sheep from the Goats

Love Is the Church’s Greatest Witness

John 13:35  

“By this everyone will know you are my disciples…”

Control Freaking Is Freaking You Out

Control Blinds You. 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭5 ‭NIV‬‬

Control Makes You Desperate. 
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Money Talks

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If what you value and invest in is unstable, your life will be unstable too. 

Money will master you if you don’t manage it.

God won’t give you more until you’re faithful with less. 

Stewardship isn’t about the season you wanna be in, it’s about being faithful in the season you’re currently in. 

 

Don't Do it for the Show

Matthew 6:1-18

Why do I feel hurt, anxious, or empty when I don’t receive recognition?

 

Do I exaggerate my achievements and hide my failures and weaknesses to protect my image?

 

How do I really feel when someone criticizes me? Do I dismiss it, take it as a personal attack, rationalize it, or truly consider it? 

 

Do I blame others instead of examining my own role in mistakes?

 

Do I fish for compliments? Do I give compliments expecting it back in some way?

 

Do I steer conversations back to me, my perspective, my achievements?

 

Do I truly listen to others or am I waiting for my turn to speak?

 

Do I feel jealous or resentful when others succeed, even slightly?  

 

Am I honest with myself about my intentions or do I justify them?

What's Burying You?

Jesus walked out of His grave so you don’t have to stay in yours.

“Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!””
‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭43‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Move Your Stones. The Miracle is His. The Movement is Yours. 

“Roll the stone aside” ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬
 
What’s Hidden Keeps What’s Dead From Living. 

“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Handle Your Cross

“Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NLT

If you glorify God on Friday, God will glorify you on Sunday. 

If you lift your pain higher than your Savior, your pain will define you. But if you lift Jesus higher than your pain, Jesus will redefine your pain

Break the Label

You can carry more than what carried you.

 

You have to Bring it To God for real.

 

Pray like you believe there is more.

The Lies We Sell

“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬-‭37‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We Pretend.

We Omit.

We People Please. 

We Self Deceived. 

Cut It Out

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If you manage sin instead of removing it, it will eventually manage you. 

Is Your Anger At You?

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭21-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Stop Denying Your Anger.                                                                                        Stop Projecting Your Anger.                                                                            Surrender Your Anger.                     

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭38‬-‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬