IMPACT Recap

Throw it Away Part 2

January 4, 2021 · 1:28:44

IdentityRelationshipsSanctification

Recap

Pastor Travis Hearn continued the 'Throw It Away' series, focusing on spiritual housecleaning for the new year. Building on Hebrews 12:1-2, he challenged the congregation to identify and discard attitudes and relationships that hinder spiritual growth and maturity. The message emphasized that the goal of the Christian life is to become more like Christ, which requires throwing away insecurities rooted in people-pleasing, a critical spirit that leads to judgment and gossip, and uncontrolled anger that damages relationships. Pastor Travis taught that true confidence comes from God's approval alone, not from others, and that a critical, complaining heart is often a self-defense mechanism for insecurity. He warned that toxic relationships corrupt good character and urged believers to choose close friends wisely. The sermon concluded with an invitation to surrender to Christ for a fresh start in the new year and a call to spiritual maturity.

Main Points

  • Throw away insecurities by finding your worth and approval in God alone, not in other people's opinions.
  • Throw away a critical spirit, which leads to judgment, complaining, and gossip, and instead focus on your own spiritual growth.
  • Throw away toxic relationships and uncontrolled anger, which poison your character and destroy the people you love most.

Verses Mentioned

  • Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." (NIV)
  • Ephesians 4:22-24 - "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (NIV)
  • Ephesians 4:14 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming." (NIV)
  • Psalm 139:13-14 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 29:25 - "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." (NIV)
  • Galatians 1:10 - "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (NIV)
  • Philippians 2:3 - "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (NIV)
  • Matthew 7:1-5 - "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." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 11:9 - "With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 16:28 - "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 14:17 - "A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 29:11 - "Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (NIV)
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (NIV)
  • Proverbs 27:19 - "As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." (NIV)
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" (NIV)
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 - "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" (NIV)

Daily Action Plan

Monday

Scripture Reflection: Psalm 139:13-14 - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Focus Point: God's Design

Action Plan: Write down one thing you appreciate about how God made you—physically, emotionally, or in your personality.

Deep Prayer: Lord, thank you for creating me uniquely. Help me to see myself through Your eyes of love and approval today.

Tuesday

Scripture Reflection: Galatians 1:10 - "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Focus Point: God's Approval

Action Plan: Identify one situation today where you might be tempted to seek people's approval. Choose to act based on what honors God instead.

Deep Prayer: Father, free me from the need for others' approval. Let my primary desire be to serve and please You alone.

Wednesday

Scripture Reflection: Matthew 7:1-5 - "Do not judge, or you too will be judged... first take the plank out of your own eye..."

Focus Point: Self-Reflection

Action Plan: When you feel critical of someone today, pause and ask God to show you an area in your own life that needs attention.

Deep Prayer: Jesus, give me humility. Help me to see my own faults clearly before I am tempted to judge others.

Thursday

Scripture Reflection: Proverbs 18:21 - "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Focus Point: Life-Giving Words

Action Plan: Intentionally speak a word of encouragement or life to at least one person today.

Deep Prayer: Holy Spirit, guard my mouth. Let my words build others up and reflect Your love and grace.

Friday

Scripture Reflection: 1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"

Focus Point: Healthy Relationships

Action Plan: Evaluate your closest relationships. Pray for wisdom about any that may be hindering your spiritual growth.

Deep Prayer: God, give me discernment in my friendships. Surround me with people who encourage my faith and draw me closer to You.

Saturday

Scripture Reflection: Hebrews 12:1-2 - "...let us throw off everything that hinders... and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus..."

Focus Point: Spiritual Endurance

Action Plan: Identify one specific 'hindrance' from the sermon (insecurity, a critical spirit, anger, a toxic tie) and prayerfully commit to laying it down.

Deep Prayer: Lord, I want to run my race well. Show me what is holding me back and give me the strength to throw it away, so I can follow You more freely.

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