MY_STUFF_ALTARS_PREACH_2ND_NOV_25.pdf

of the Sermon:**

Today’s sermon, “Altar of My Stuff,” explored what it means to truly surrender everything to Jesus, especially the things we tend to hold back—our possessions, our gifts, our stories, and even our fears. Using the parable of the talents from Matthew 25, we looked at how God entrusts us with resources, not to be buried or hoarded, but to be used for His Kingdom. The message challenged us to move from ownership to stewardship, from fear to faith, and from seeking applause to seeking the joy of the Master. Through stories, music, and honest reflection, we were invited to lay down our “stuff”—not just material things, but also our excuses and comfort zones—on the altar of surrender, trusting that real joy is found not in what we possess, but in the One who possesses us.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Stewardship Is Worship, Not Just Management: Everything we have—our money, homes, gifts, and even our very breath—is entrusted to us by God. True stewardship isn’t about careful management for our own benefit, but about using what’s been given for God’s purposes. When we treat our resources as “mine,” we build altars to ourselves; when we see them as “entrusted,” we build altars of worship. The shift from ownership to stewardship is a spiritual act that reorients our hearts toward God’s Kingdom.
• 2. Fear Disguised as Wisdom Is Still Disobedience: The servant who buried his talent wasn’t reckless—he was cautious, maybe even “responsible” by human standards. But Jesus calls out that kind of caution when it’s rooted in fear, not faith. Fear often masquerades as wisdom, convincing us to play it safe, but in God’s economy, faith means moving forward even when it feels risky. The antidote to fear is not bravado, but a deep trust in the goodness and love of the Master.
• 3. Faithfulness Is Measured by Use, Not Size: In the parable, even the smallest amount entrusted was significant—no one received “just a little” from God. What matters isn’t how much you have, but what you do with it. God isn’t looking for flashy results or impressive achievements; He’s looking for faithfulness with whatever He’s placed in your hands. Sometimes, the most powerful acts of faith are the quiet, unseen ones—opening your home, sharing your story, or simply saying “yes” to God’s promptings.
• 4. The Reward Is the Joy of the Master, Not Applause: When the Master returns, the faithful servants aren’t rewarded with more stuff or public recognition—they’re invited into His joy. The ultimate reward for a surrendered life isn’t earthly applause or upgrades, but the unshakeable, contagious joy of being with Jesus. Living for the joy of the Master means letting go of the need for approval and finding satisfaction in His presence and His “well done.”
• 5. Surrender Is an Ongoing, Costly, and Communal Journey: Surrender isn’t a one-time event or a graduation requirement for new believers—it’s a lifelong posture. It often feels “a little much,” requiring us to lay down not just possessions, but also control, comfort, and even our own stories. We need each other to call out the gifts we’re tempted to bury and to encourage one another to step forward in faith. The altar of surrender is where we find freedom, purpose, and the kind of joy that can’t be shaken by loss or change.

1. In the parable, what did the master entrust to each of his servants, and how did each servant respond to what they were given?
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean that our “stuff” is entrusted to us rather than owned by us?
3. What reason did the servant with one talent give for burying his master’s money, and how did the master respond?
4. What was the reward for the servants who used what was entrusted to them, and what was the consequence for the one who buried his talent?

1. The sermon says, “Stewardship isn’t just management—it’s worship.” How does seeing our resources as God’s change the way we use them?
2. The servant who buried his talent acted out of fear, which he disguised as wisdom. Why do you think Jesus calls this disobedience rather than caution?
3. The parable shows that faithfulness is measured by use, not size. What does this say about how God values what we do with what we have, even if it seems small?
4. The ultimate reward in the parable is the “joy of the Master.” What does it mean to live for God’s joy instead of the applause or approval of others?

1. The sermon challenged us to move from ownership to stewardship. Is there something in your life—money, time, a gift, or even a story—that you tend to treat as “yours” instead of something God has entrusted to you? What would it look like to surrender that to God this week?
2. Fear often keeps us from using what God has given us. Can you think of a time when you held back from stepping out in faith because you were afraid? What would it look like to move forward in faith instead of staying “parked” in fear?
3. The message talked about “altars of excuses”—the reasons we give for not using our gifts or sharing our stories. What is one excuse you often use, and how could you take a small step to lay that excuse down?
4. Sometimes we think what we have to offer is too small or insignificant. Is there a gift, resource, or story you’ve been tempted to “bury” because you think it doesn’t matter? How could you use it for God’s Kingdom this week?
5. The sermon said, “Surrender is an ongoing, costly, and communal journey.” Who in your life can help you see the gifts you might be tempted to bury? How can you encourage someone else in your group to step forward in faith?
6. The reward for faithfulness is the joy of the Master, not applause. Are there areas in your life where you’re seeking approval from people instead of God? How can you shift your focus to living for God’s “well done”?
7. The altar of surrender is where we find freedom and purpose. What is one practical step you can take this week to lay something down on that altar—whether it’s a possession, a comfort zone, or a fear?