Aligning Our Desires with God's Abundant Gifts
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of "more" and how it aligns with God's plan for our lives. We often believe that having more will make our lives better, but this is a fallacy. The desire for more can lead us to acquire things on our own, which often results in stress, financial strain, and a lack of fulfillment. Instead, we should focus on what God wants to give us and understand that His gifts come with a purpose. God wants to give us more leadership, resources, and influence, but only if our motives align with His kingdom's growth and not our personal gain.
We examined the difference between acquiring more and receiving more from God. Acquiring more on our own often leads to stress, costs, and distractions, while receiving more from God brings joy, multiplies itself, and aligns with His perfect timing. We looked at biblical examples like Abraham and Sarah, who tried to acquire more on their own and faced consequences, and Joshua, who received more time from God to win a battle.
Jesus taught about the principle of more in the parable of the talents, emphasizing that those who use what they have wisely will be given more. To be ready for more, we must use what we have wisely, exercise faith, cast vision for more with our families, delegate responsibilities, and be generous with what God has given us. We must also remember that everything we have is not ours but God's, and we should ask Him for more with the right motives.
In conclusion, God is a God of abundance and wants to bless us with more, but we must align our hearts and actions with His will. By doing so, we can live a life that glorifies Him and advances His kingdom.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Fallacy of More: The belief that more possessions or wealth will make our lives better is a fallacy. Acquiring more on our own often leads to stress, financial strain, and a lack of fulfillment. Instead, we should focus on what God wants to give us, understanding that His gifts come with a purpose and are meant to advance His kingdom. [23:09]
2. Difference Between Acquiring and Receiving: Acquiring more on our own often results in stress, costs, and distractions, while receiving more from God brings joy, multiplies itself, and aligns with His perfect timing. Biblical examples like Abraham and Sarah show the consequences of acquiring more on their own, while Joshua's story illustrates the blessings of receiving more from God. [32:29]
3. Principle of More in the Parable of the Talents: Jesus taught that those who use what they have wisely will be given more. To be ready for more, we must use what we have wisely, exercise faith, cast vision for more with our families, delegate responsibilities, and be generous with what God has given us. [44:00]
4. Aligning with God's Will: God wants to give us more leadership, resources, and influence, but only if our motives align with His kingdom's growth and not our personal gain. We must remember that everything we have is not ours but God's, and we should ask Him for more with the right motives. [50:39]
5. Living Faithfully with What We Have: We should live faithfully with what we have, using it to glorify and honor God. By doing so, we can trust that God, who is a God of abundance, will pour out more into our lives. This requires humility, gratitude, and a focus on advancing His kingdom rather than our personal agendas. [52:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:35] - Introduction to the Concept of More
[17:57] - Illustrations of More
[19:14] - The Fallacy of More
[20:34] - Real-Life Examples of More
[21:49] - The Cost of More
[23:09] - The Fallacy of More Continued
[24:26] - Using What We Have
[25:51] - God's Desire to Give More
[27:03] - The Purpose of More
[28:25] - The God of Abundance
[29:50] - Responsibility with More
[31:04] - Biblical Examples of More
[32:29] - Acquiring vs. Receiving More
[33:41] - The Cost of Acquiring More
[34:55] - The Joy of Receiving More
[36:15] - Timing of More
[37:29] - Faith and More
[38:42] - Personal Testimony
[41:14] - Jesus' Teaching on More
[42:39] - Biblical Examples of Receiving More
[44:00] - The Principle of More
[45:16] - Using What We Have Wisely
[47:58] - Casting Vision for More
[49:16] - Delegating Responsibilities
[50:39] - Asking God for More
[52:03] - Living Faithfully with What We Have
[53:38] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
2. Matthew 25:14-29 - The Parable of the Talents
3. John 15:1-2 - "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what are the consequences of acquiring more on our own versus receiving more from God? ([32:29])
2. In the Parable of the Talents, what did the master do when he returned from his trip? How did he respond to the servants who used their talents wisely? ([45:16])
3. What examples from the Bible were given to illustrate the difference between acquiring more and receiving more from God? ([31:04])
4. What does Jeremiah 29:11 say about God's plans for us, and how does this relate to the concept of "more" discussed in the sermon? ([24:26])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Abraham and Sarah illustrate the dangers of trying to acquire more on our own? What were the long-term consequences of their actions? ([31:04])
2. In the Parable of the Talents, why do you think the master gave more responsibilities to the servants who used their talents wisely? What does this teach us about stewardship? ([45:16])
3. How does the principle of pruning in John 15:1-2 relate to the idea of being prepared for more? What might "pruning" look like in our lives? ([44:00])
4. What does it mean to have the right motives when asking God for more, according to James 4:2-3? How can we ensure our motives align with God's will? ([50:39])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to acquire more on your own. What were the outcomes, and how did it affect your stress and joy levels? How can you shift your focus to receiving more from God instead? ([32:29])
2. The sermon emphasized using what we have wisely. Identify one area in your life where you can be a better steward of what God has given you. What practical steps can you take this week to improve in that area? ([47:58])
3. How can you cast a vision for more with your family? Discuss specific ways you can involve your family in using what you have to glorify God and advance His kingdom. ([47:58])
4. Think about the resources and influence you currently have. Are you using them to grow God's kingdom or for personal gain? What changes can you make to ensure your motives align with God's will? ([25:51])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of being generous with what God has given us. Identify one way you can be more generous this week, whether with your time, resources, or talents. ([49:16])
6. How can you remain humble and remember that everything you have is not yours but God's? What practices can you implement to keep this perspective in your daily life? ([49:16])
7. Reflect on the concept of asking God for more with the right motives. What specific area of your life do you feel led to ask God for more? How can you ensure your request aligns with His will and purpose? ([50:39])
Devotional
Day 1: The Fallacy of More
The belief that more possessions or wealth will make our lives better is a fallacy. Acquiring more on our own often leads to stress, financial strain, and a lack of fulfillment. Instead, we should focus on what God wants to give us, understanding that His gifts come with a purpose and are meant to advance His kingdom. When we chase after more on our own terms, we often find ourselves burdened and distracted from what truly matters. God's gifts, however, are designed to bring joy and fulfillment, aligning with His perfect plan for our lives.
Reflect on the story of Abraham and Sarah, who tried to acquire more on their own by having a child through Hagar, which led to complications and strife. Contrast this with the peace and fulfillment that comes from waiting on God's timing and receiving His blessings. By focusing on what God wants to give us, we can avoid the pitfalls of self-driven acquisition and embrace a life of purpose and joy. [23:09]
Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 (ESV): "He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?"
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are striving for more on your own terms? How can you shift your focus to what God wants to give you instead?
Day 2: Difference Between Acquiring and Receiving
Acquiring more on our own often results in stress, costs, and distractions, while receiving more from God brings joy, multiplies itself, and aligns with His perfect timing. Biblical examples like Abraham and Sarah show the consequences of acquiring more on their own, while Joshua's story illustrates the blessings of receiving more from God. When we try to take matters into our own hands, we often face unintended consequences and burdens.
In contrast, when we wait on God and receive His blessings, we experience joy and fulfillment that surpasses our expectations. Joshua's story of receiving more time from God to win a battle is a powerful reminder of how God's provision is always timely and sufficient. By trusting in God's timing and provision, we can experience the true joy and multiplication of His blessings. [32:29]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: Think of a time when you tried to acquire something on your own and faced stress or disappointment. How can you practice waiting on God and trusting in His perfect timing for your needs?
Day 3: Principle of More in the Parable of the Talents
Jesus taught that those who use what they have wisely will be given more. To be ready for more, we must use what we have wisely, exercise faith, cast vision for more with our families, delegate responsibilities, and be generous with what God has given us. The parable of the talents emphasizes the importance of stewardship and faithfulness with what we have been entrusted.
When we use our resources, time, and talents wisely, we position ourselves to receive more from God. This requires a proactive approach, where we not only manage our current blessings well but also cast vision for greater impact and delegate responsibilities to others. Generosity is a key component, as it reflects our trust in God's provision and our commitment to advancing His kingdom. [44:00]
Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."
Reflection: How are you currently using the resources and talents God has given you? What steps can you take to be more faithful and proactive in stewarding these blessings?
Day 4: Aligning with God's Will
God wants to give us more leadership, resources, and influence, but only if our motives align with His kingdom's growth and not our personal gain. We must remember that everything we have is not ours but God's, and we should ask Him for more with the right motives. Our motives play a crucial role in how we receive and use God's blessings.
When our desires are aligned with God's will and focused on advancing His kingdom, we position ourselves to receive more from Him. This requires a heart check, where we examine our intentions and ensure that they are pure and aligned with God's purposes. By seeking God's will and asking for more with the right motives, we can experience His abundant blessings in our lives. [50:39]
James 4:3 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
Reflection: What are your current motives for wanting more in your life? How can you align your desires with God's will and focus on advancing His kingdom?
Day 5: Living Faithfully with What We Have
We should live faithfully with what we have, using it to glorify and honor God. By doing so, we can trust that God, who is a God of abundance, will pour out more into our lives. This requires humility, gratitude, and a focus on advancing His kingdom rather than our personal agendas. Living faithfully with what we have means recognizing that everything we possess is a gift from God and should be used for His glory.
It involves a mindset of stewardship, where we manage our resources, time, and talents with gratitude and humility. By focusing on God's kingdom and using our blessings to serve others, we can trust that God will continue to pour out His abundance in our lives. This faithful living not only honors God but also positions us to receive even more of His blessings. [52:03]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: How are you currently using your resources and talents to glorify God and serve others? What changes can you make to live more faithfully with what you have been given?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We believe that we exist to help people find Jesus and see their lives change. And I pray that that's happened in you. If you've found Jesus at New Life Church and your life has been changed because of Jesus at New Life Church, can I just hear you really quick at all campuses?" [16:35] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The more I have, the better my life will be. Is a fallacy. But we always want more. Here's what we say to ourselves. We justify it with this kind of statement. If I had more, I could do more." [23:09] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God always gives more so that you can give him more. Do you hear me on this? God gives you more so that you can always give him more. It's always, it's always a reciprocating more. God wants to bless you. He wants to pour his spirit upon you. He wants to put resources in your hand." [28:25] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We serve the God of abundance. We serve the God of more. And he wants to pour that more into your hands so that you can give him worship and glory and honor, so that you can use what he gives you to advance his kingdom, not just your agenda." [28:25] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So the Bible's full of God giving more, by the way. The Israelites, they come out of Egypt and they're walking through the desert and God's giving them more. What's he giving them more of? More manna to eat." [41:14] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Here's the problem. We aren't using what we have. So why do we think we deserve more? Do you want to be more generous? Be more generous with what you currently have. You want to have more people over to your house? Use your house now to have more people over." [24:26] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God wants to give you more leadership and influence, but why? Why would God want to give you more leadership and influence? So that you could actually grow his kingdom. That's why." [25:51] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When you try to acquire more, just follow me on this to see if this is true. It always costs you more. Okay, but when God gives more, it multiplies itself. It's a crazy journey that we're on in America to acquire more, and that more just keeps costing more." [34:55] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you acquire more, it doesn't require faith to acquire more. You just go and use your earthly resources to accomplish it, to get more, whatever that more is. But with God, it actually builds your faith." [37:29] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So the Bible's full of God giving more, by the way. The Israelites, they come out of Egypt and they're walking through the desert and God's giving them more. What's he giving them more of? More manna to eat." [41:14] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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