
Addiction. We tend to think of drugs, alcohol, gambling, or even food, but addiction is so much more than that. Addiction is repeatedly surrendering to something you believe you need more than you need God. And we do that more than we would like to admit. But when something has more control over you than your faith does, it’s not just a problem—it’s an idol. The good news is that freedom begins the moment you stop fighting for victory—and start fighting from it. 

SERMON NOTES
- Stronghold: A fortified mindset—a lie or series of lies we believe that oppose God’s truth

- The stronghold of addiction

- Addiction: A repeated surrender to something you believe you need more than you need God

- Addiction thrives in silence

- The strongest part of the stronghold isn’t the behavior— it’s the belief behind it

- When something has more control over you than your faith does, it’s not just a problem—it’s an idol

- Addiction looks like disobedience
- Addiction looks like idolatry
- Addiction looks like lying
- Addiction looks like control
- Addiction looks like isolation

- Freedom begins the moment you stop fighting for victory—and start fighting from it

- Daily walk by the Spirit


Addiction

Heart of Worship – Week 4
Worship Must Be Expressed
Anchor Text: James 2:17 

Worship that stays hidden in the heart is incomplete. True worship demands expression. Just as faith without works is dead, worship without expression loses its power.

Key Scriptures
Joshua 6 — Jericho’s walls fell, not in silence, but with a shout of faith.

2 Samuel 6 — David danced with all his might; Michal’s silence and disdain led to barrenness.

Acts 16:25–26 — Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison; chains broke, doors opened, and salvation came.

Silent Worship Costs:
Barrenness (Michal).

Strongholds that never fall (Jericho without a shout).

Chains that remain unbroken (if Paul & Silas stayed quiet).

Expressed Worship Releases:
Fruitfulness and legacy.

Breakthrough and strongholds falling.

Freedom for you and those around you.

Natural Applications:
Jericho: Don’t just think about God’s promises, declare them aloud
.
David’s Dance: Lay down pride; expressed worship breaks barrenness and opens joy.

Disciples’ Shouts: Declare Jesus’ kingship publicly, not just privately.

Paul & Silas: Worship even in suffering; your song may unlock freedom for others.

Reflection Questions
Have I been keeping my worship silent out of fear, pride, or comfort?

What expression of worship (shout, dance, lifting hands, song) do I need to step into more freely?

Where have I seen breakthrough come through expressed worship in my own life?


Worship Must Be Expressed

The Worship God Seeks 

In John 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well,  the least likely place, at the least likely time, with the least likely person. He tears down cultural prejudice, religious superiority, and personal shame to reveal the kind of worship the Father truly seeks: Spirit and Truth.

This message reminds us:
Worship isn’t about location, heritage, or preference. It’s about posture.
Transformation doesn’t just happen at conversion, but every time we encounter His presence.
When worshipers live transformed, entire communities can encounter God.

Key Points
He Had to Pass Through Samaria:  Jesus went where others avoided, because worship is for outcasts too.

Jesus Confronts Systems:  His presence tears down barriers of culture, gender, shame, and religious superiority.

Transformation in His Presence:  She came thirsty and ashamed, but left filled and transformed.

Worship in Spirit and Truth:  The Father is seeking worshipers, not worship moments.

The Overflow:  True worship can’t stay private; it spills into others’ lives.

The Worship God Seeks

Worship Fuels the Mission (Isaiah 6:1–8 → Romans 12:1–2, ESV)

This final message in the Heart of Worship series reminds us that worship doesn’t end at the altar. It fuels the mission of God.

Isaiah’s encounter in the temple takes us on a journey:
	•	He saw the Lord seated on the throne, high and lifted up.
	•	He saw himself undone and in need of cleansing.
	•	He saw his culture with new compassion, not superiority.
	•	He was cleansed at the altar and prepared for purpose.
	•	He was sent out with the cry: “Here am I, send me.”

Paul echoes the same call in Romans 12: worship is presenting our lives as living sacrifices. The altar doesn’t just cleanse us, it sends us.

“The goal of worship isn’t a moment before God’s throne. It’s a movement into God’s mission.”




Worship Fuels the Mission

Trusting God's Goodness

Sermon (Pastor Scott)
As we celebrate baptisms, we are forced to ask ourselves "What does it really mean to be a Christian?" In a world where the label “Christian” is often tied to culture, politics, or tradition, Scripture calls us to something deeper—biblical Christianity. This message will unpack the New Testament’s vision of authentic faith, exploring how true disciples of Jesus are known not by titles or tribes, but by transformed lives marked with love, obedience, and the fruit of the Spirit.


Sermon Notes:
- “Lord, show me where I’m wearing the label of Christian but not living the life of one.” 

- Matthew 7:21 (ESV)
- The evidence of a real faith is obedience to God

- Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
- The evidence of our faith should be Spirit-produced fruit

- John 13:34-35 (ESV)
- God is not fooled by labels



Living As A Christian

In a world full of noise, chaos, and constant striving, God invites us to do something radical: be still. Psalm 46 reminds us that even when life feels like it’s falling apart, God is our refuge, our strength, and our fortress. Verse 10 is God’s command to let go of our frantic attempts to control life and instead trust Him: “Be still, and know that I am God.” When we stop striving, we experience His presence more deeply—and we show the world a peace that only comes from Him.

NOTES:

- When life gets hard and the pressure builds, striving doesn’t bring peace. It just wears us out!

- The more we do, the less peace we feel

- Psalm 46:1-11 (ESV)

- We will experience God not in our doing, but in our stopping

- God’s glory really isn’t in question. The only question is whether we’ll live like it.

- Stop striving against battles that belong to God

- Stillness is where you experience God

- Practice stillness intentionally


Be Still and Know

In the opening message of The Names of God series, we discover the power and meaning behind God’s most personal name: Yahweh. This is the name He revealed to Moses in Exodus 3. When God declares, “I AM WHO I AM,” He’s not describing what He does, but who He is - eternal, unchanging, and completely self-existent.

This message reminds us that God doesn’t depend on anything; everything depends on Him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the One who was, who is, and who always will be. When we know His name, we can trust His nature. No matter what changes around us, Yahweh remains faithful and present.

Sermon Notes:
- Names carry identity and they communicate relationship

- When you know who God is, it changes how you see everything else

- YHWH (Yahweh)

- Exodus 3:4-6 (ESV)
- Exodus 3:13-14 (ESV)

- God is self-existent. He needs nothing, but chooses relationship.

- God is unchanging. He is who He is.

- God is personal. He knows your name and wants to be known by His.

- The same God who revealed His name to Moses has revealed His face in Jesus


YHWH (Yahweh)

In this second week of The Names of God series, we unpack the very first name God reveals in Scripture — Elohim, The Mighty Creator. From the opening words of Genesis, we see that God is not distant or detached; He is the One who brings order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and life out of nothing. Through His Word, He still speaks, shapes, and sustains everything He creates. And through Jesus, the Living Word, Elohim continues His creative work in us — making all things new. This message invites us to encounter God not just as Creator of the universe, but as the One still creating within our hearts today.

Notes:
1. Elohim is The Mighty Creator.
He is the first name revealed in Scripture — the God of strength, authority, and creative power.

2. Elohim brings order out of chaos.
He doesn’t fight darkness; He speaks to it. His Word brings clarity, alignment, and peace.

3. Elohim creates with purpose.
From the movement of galaxies to the rhythm of our heartbeat, creation reveals His wisdom and intention. We were created on purpose for His purpose.

4. Elohim still creates through Christ.
The same Word who made the world now remakes us. Salvation is His first creative act in us, but He continues to shape, restore, and breathe life into every part of who we are.

5. Elohim, Create Again
Whether for salvation, renewal, healing, or empowerment, the invitation is to let the Creator keep creating in you.


Elohim

Genesis 16:1-13 (ESV)
This week in our Names of God series, we’ll look at one of the most personal and hope-filled names of God: El Roi: “The God Who Sees Me.” Through the story of Hagar in Genesis 16, we discover that even in moments of rejection, pain, and feeling invisible, God sees us. He knows our situation, hears our cries, and meets us right where we are. In this message, we see how God’s heart for the unseen is still at work today. 

Notes
El Roi: The God Who Sees Me
- Genesis 16:7-13 (ESV)
- God sees what others overlook.
- God sees you where you are, not where you should be
- God's seeing leads to action
- God's seeing gives you identity

Addiction

New Beginnings Church of God

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