The Butterfly Effect

Pastor Darryl Bentley

Midland SDA Church

July 23, 2011

1. Introductory Illustration

a. Butterfly Effect Paper by Edward Lorenz

b. Small thing leads to big change?

2. In the Christian’s life the same holds true

a. We either make small steps of progress or small steps of compromise

b. When Lucifer first began to doubt God and rebellion crept into his heart he used small subtle trickery to fool the other angels and lead them into rebellion too.

3. Some Items of Compromise

a. Music

b. Food

c. Books

d. Movies

e. Friendships

f. Romantic involvement

g. Business transactions

4. The Flip-side of the coin

a. When we make small changes as the Holy Spirit guides us then those small changes build upon one another as they lead us to be transformed into the glorified image of Christ.

b. Romans 12:1, 2

c. 2 Corinthians 3:18

d. 2 Corinthians 13:5-Examine to see if we are in the faith.

e. 1 Corinthians 11:28-If we come to the communion table without having examined ourselves then we are possibly eating unworthily from the table thus sinning against God.

5. Appeal

a. What small steps are you taking these days?  Are you walking toward God day-by-day or slowing creeping away from Him?

b. Here are some small steps you can take to move toward God

i. Pray some everyday.  Pray in the morning and in the evening.  Some throughout the day too.

ii. Read some everyday from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.

iii. Attend services that can help encourage you and will allow you to encourage others.

c. What small change will you make today to bring you closer to God? Let us consider this message as we partake of the emblems of Christ’s sacrifice for us.