Abnormally Normal

Abnormally Normal PBC Sermon Series

BE- ATTITUDES

November 5, 2006 Dear Women of New Life Church, I am so sorry for the circumstances that have led me to write this letter to you today. I know your hearts are broken; mine is as well.

Yet my hope rests steadfastly in the Lord who is forever faithful. What I want you to know is that I love my husband, Ted Haggard, with all my heart. I am committed to him until death “do us part.” We started this journey

together and with the grace of God, we will finish together. If I were standing before you today, I would not change one iota of what I have been teaching the women of our church.

For those of you who have been concerned that my marriage was so perfect I could not possibly relate to the women who are facing great difficulties, know that this will never again be the case. My test has begun; watch me. I will try to prove myself faithful.

I love you all so much, especially you young women—you were my delight. To all the church family of new Life Church—Ted and I are so proud of you. You are all we hoped you would be. In our minds, there is no greater church.

As you try to make sense of these past few days, know that Ted believes with all his heart and soul everything he has ever taught you, those things you are putting into practice. He is now the visible and public evidence that every man (woman and child) needs a Savior.

We are grateful for your prayers for our family. I hold you forever in my heart, Gayle Haggard

When we are different, Jesus says we’re blessed ... happy ... to be envied

Matthew 5:1-5 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:1-2 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

THE CHRISTIAN’S MANIFESTO • Jesus is simply saying, “If you are my followers, you will start to be different, and when you find that this is your experience, don’t get discouraged, because you’re actually blessed ... happy ... to be envied!”

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT for theirs is the Kingdom of God [Contemporary English Version: God blesses those people who rely only on him.]

Philippians 3:4-8 I myself have reasons for such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin,

a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

IF YOU’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED POVERTY OF SPIRIT, YOU CANNOT BE A CHRIST-FOLLOWER

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN for they will be comforted.

I disrespect myself for being one of those lukewarm Christians who come to church occasionally because they show nothing more than an interest in the sermons and the desire for their children to have at least some spiritual input.

It seems to me that I still lack all the energy and passion which in the past have drawn me to God. … I wish I could change, be more straightforward, more mature, committed... and different!

CHRISTIANITY BEGINS WITH A SENSE OF INADEQUACY BEFORE GOD … POVERTY OF SPIRIT … AND MOURNING BECAUSE OF IT

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN for they will be comforted.

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK for they will inherit the earth.

“Revival exposes us to what normal looks like from God’s perspective.”

Abnormally Normal