Discipleship Through Relationships: Trusting God Over Wealth
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that discipleship is not a product of attending church services or participating in programs, but rather it is cultivated through relationships. True discipleship happens when we engage in small, intimate communities where we can be known, challenged, and encouraged to grow in Christlikeness. This is why our DC groups are so vital; they provide the context for these transformative relationships. We are reminded that we are not meant to walk this journey alone, but as part of the body of Christ, each of us playing a unique role in the community.
We also delved into the challenging topic of money and its potential to become a master in our lives. Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount highlight the importance of where we place our treasures, as our hearts will inevitably follow. The call is to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth, and to maintain a generous spirit. The principle that no one can serve two masters is central to understanding the relationship between discipleship and money. Jesus demands our full devotion, and anything that competes for our loyalty, including money, must be surrendered.
The story of the rich young ruler serves as a poignant illustration of the struggle between serving God and serving wealth. Despite his outward obedience, the young man's heart was tied to his possessions, preventing him from fully following Jesus. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and consider what we might be holding onto that hinders our complete devotion to Christ.
Ultimately, the message is a call to trust God as our provider, recognizing that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good. We are encouraged to surrender our worries and trust Him with our finances, knowing that He can solve our problems with or without money. By seeking first the kingdom of God, we align our priorities with His, allowing everything else to fall into place.
Key Takeaways:
- Discipleship is cultivated through relationships, not programs or church attendance. Engaging in small groups allows us to be known, challenged, and encouraged in our walk with Christ. This relational context is where true transformation occurs. [02:40]
- Our hearts follow our treasures. Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth, as earthly treasures are vulnerable to decay and theft. A generous spirit reflects a heart focused on eternal values. [16:11]
- You cannot serve two masters. Jesus demands full devotion, and anything that competes for our loyalty, such as money, must be surrendered. Discipleship requires undivided allegiance to Christ. [21:01]
- The story of the rich young ruler illustrates the struggle between serving God and wealth. Despite outward obedience, his heart was tied to possessions, preventing full devotion to Jesus. We must examine what we hold onto that hinders our discipleship. [28:51]
- Trust God as your provider. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good. Surrender your worries and trust Him with your finances, knowing He can solve problems with or without money. Seek first His kingdom, and everything else will fall into place. [35:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:40] - The Importance of Relationships in Discipleship
[04:48] - Stirring One Another to Love and Good Works
[07:14] - The Necessity of Community
[11:12] - Understanding DC Groups
[14:46] - Introducing the Topic of Money
[16:11] - Jesus' Teachings on Treasures
[17:58] - The Principle of Two Masters
[21:01] - Full Devotion to Christ
[22:18] - Money as a Barrier to God
[23:14] - Money as a False God
[24:42] - The Rich Young Ruler's Dilemma
[28:51] - The Cost of Divided Loyalty
[30:58] - Trusting God Over Money
[35:24] - Surrendering to God's Provision
[38:14] - Questions for Reflection
[43:10] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 6:19-24
- Mark 10:17-22
- Hebrews 10:24-25
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Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:19-24, what does Jesus say about where we should store our treasures, and why is this important? [16:11]
2. How does the story of the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22 illustrate the struggle between serving God and wealth? [28:51]
3. According to Hebrews 10:24-25, what role does community play in our spiritual growth and discipleship? [04:48]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between discipleship and money? [14:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, and how does this relate to our priorities? [16:11]
2. What does the rich young ruler's response to Jesus' invitation reveal about the challenges of discipleship? [28:51]
3. How does the concept of serving two masters apply to modern-day challenges in balancing faith and material wealth? [21:01]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community and relationships are essential for true discipleship? [02:40]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships. Are you part of a small group or community that encourages your spiritual growth? If not, what steps can you take to join one? [02:40]
2. Consider your financial priorities. Are there areas where money might be competing with your devotion to God? How can you realign your priorities to reflect a heart focused on eternal values? [16:11]
3. The sermon discusses the importance of trusting God as our provider. What specific worries or financial concerns do you need to surrender to God this week? [35:24]
4. Think about the story of the rich young ruler. Is there something in your life that you are holding onto that might be hindering your full devotion to Christ? How can you begin to let go of it? [28:51]
5. How can you actively participate in stirring up love and good works within your community, as encouraged in Hebrews 10:24-25? [04:48]
6. Reflect on the idea of serving two masters. Are there any areas in your life where you feel divided in your loyalty to God? What practical steps can you take to ensure that Jesus remains your primary focus? [21:01]
7. How can you incorporate the principle of seeking first the kingdom of God into your daily routine, ensuring that your actions and decisions align with His priorities? [43:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Discipleship Thrives in Relational Contexts
True discipleship is not merely about attending church services or participating in programs; it is deeply rooted in relationships. Engaging in small, intimate communities allows individuals to be known, challenged, and encouraged in their journey toward Christlikeness. These relationships provide the fertile ground for spiritual growth and transformation, as they offer a space where believers can share their lives, struggles, and victories. In these settings, discipleship becomes a shared journey, where each person plays a unique role in the body of Christ, contributing to the growth and maturity of the community as a whole. [02:40]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you invite into a deeper, more intentional relationship for mutual encouragement and growth in Christ?
Day 2: Treasures of the Heart
Our hearts inevitably follow where we place our treasures. Jesus teaches the importance of storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, as earthly treasures are susceptible to decay and theft. A heart focused on eternal values is reflected in a generous spirit, one that prioritizes heavenly treasures over material possessions. This perspective challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and align their lives with the values of the kingdom of God, ensuring that their hearts are set on things that have lasting significance. [16:11]
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, ESV)
Reflection: What earthly treasures are you holding onto that might be distracting you from focusing on eternal values?
Day 3: Undivided Allegiance to Christ
Jesus demands full devotion from His followers, emphasizing that no one can serve two masters. Anything that competes for our loyalty, such as money, must be surrendered to maintain undivided allegiance to Christ. Discipleship requires a wholehearted commitment to Jesus, where believers prioritize their relationship with Him above all else. This call to surrender challenges individuals to examine their lives and identify areas where their loyalty may be divided, ensuring that their devotion to Christ remains steadfast and uncompromised. [21:01]
"No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Luke 16:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself torn between serving God and another master? How can you begin to surrender this area to Christ today?
Day 4: The Cost of Divided Loyalty
The story of the rich young ruler illustrates the struggle between serving God and wealth. Despite his outward obedience, the young man's heart was tied to his possessions, preventing him from fully following Jesus. This narrative serves as a poignant reminder for believers to examine their own lives and consider what they might be holding onto that hinders their complete devotion to Christ. It challenges individuals to let go of anything that competes with their loyalty to Jesus, ensuring that their hearts are fully aligned with His will and purpose. [28:51]
"And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, 'You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:21-22, ESV)
Reflection: What possessions or attachments in your life might be preventing you from fully following Jesus?
Day 5: Trusting God as Provider
Believers are called to trust God as their provider, recognizing that He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-good. Surrendering worries and trusting Him with finances allows individuals to experience His provision and faithfulness. By seeking first the kingdom of God, believers align their priorities with His, allowing everything else to fall into place. This trust in God's provision challenges individuals to let go of their anxieties and place their confidence in His ability to meet their needs, knowing that He can solve problems with or without money. [35:24]
"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your finances do you need to trust God more fully as your provider? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Quotes
When you get into a small community, a small group of people where you can actually do life together, and they can know you, and they can ask questions, and you can ask questions, and they can pray with you, and you can grow to be more like Christ in that small group relationship. [00:02:44] (15 seconds)
And he says, do this all the more as you see the day drawing near. Now, the day, that's the day of judgment. That's the Lord's day. They talk about that a lot in the Bible. And so basically what this is saying is the further we get from the resurrection of Christ and the closer we get to the return of Christ, the more you actually need to be in community, okay? [00:08:58] (18 seconds)
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. So your heart follows your treasure. And so if your treasure is here, your heart is here. And when your treasure is there, your heart is there, right? So where your treasure is, that's where your focus goes. [00:17:35] (20 seconds)
If Jesus is your master, nothing, nothing else can be because you cannot serve two masters. Period. End of story. And you can insert whatever example you want because the principle is God is not interested in competing for your affection. And so he gives us the example, God and money, and he actually chooses this for a reason because discipleship demands full devotion, not divided loyalty. [00:21:26] (32 seconds)
And maybe the hardest thing I have to do today is try and convince you that if you are not careful, money will become your God. And a lot of you are already going, that's silly, I know what money is and it's not God. But let me just press on you a little bit. How do you relate to a God? [00:22:53] (21 seconds)
When Jesus showing up or somebody handing you a million dollars is equally valuable to you in solving your problems, you have made money your God. When you start thinking, man, I'm not happy, but if I had some money, I could be happy. When you start thinking, you know, I'm so stressed right now, but if I just had some more money, then I could have peace. [00:30:21] (21 seconds)
I trust a God I've never seen to forgive me of my sins, of which there are plenty, to give me eternal life, a scientific impossibility, in a heaven that sounds too good to be true. And I trust him with all of that. But then when it comes to my money, my trust runs out. [00:35:03] (25 seconds)
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