Letting Go: Embracing Generosity and True Identity

Devotional

Day 1: The Danger of Attachment to Possessions

When material possessions become more important than our relationship with God, it becomes a problem. It's not wrong to have things, but when they start to control us, we lose sight of the true Gift Giver. [12:45]

Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with your possessions. Are there any items or desires for material wealth that are taking precedence over your relationship with God?

```

Day 2: The Illusion of More

The cultural mindset of "more is always better" can lead us astray. This belief often results in us chasing after things that are unimportant and temporary, rather than focusing on what truly matters. [23:30]

Ecclesiastes 5:10 - "Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless."
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you are chasing after "more"? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters?

```

Day 3: The Deception of Material Wealth

Despite what society and advertisements may tell us, life does not consist of possessions and material wealth. Our worth and identity are found in Jesus, not in the things we own or wear. [35:20]

Luke 12:15 - "Then he said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'"
Reflection: How can you guard your heart against the deception of material wealth? What steps can you take to find your worth and identity in Jesus?

```

Day 4: Filling the Void with God

The void in our hearts can only be filled by a relationship with God. Sin makes us feel unworthy and guilty, but Jesus fixed this condition through his sacrifice on the cross. [47:10]

Psalm 63:1 - "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water."
Reflection: Reflect on the voids in your life. How can you invite God to fill these voids and bring you a sense of completeness?

```

Day 5: The Trap of Debt and Materialism

The world constantly tells us that we need more, but God can bring contentment and help us detach from material possessions. Falling into the trap of spending money and getting into debt can lead to stress and discontentment. [59:15]

Proverbs 22:7 - "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are falling into the trap of debt and materialism? How can you seek God's contentment and detachment from material possessions?

Sermon Summary

In his sermon series titled "Carrying On," Pastor Mike uses the metaphor of traveling with a carry-on bag to illustrate the idea that there are things in life that God never intended for us to carry into the next season. He draws from the encounter between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler in Matthew chapter 19, emphasizing that it is not wrong to have wealth, but when we allow our blessings to become the ruler of our lives instead of focusing on the Gift Giver, we fall into the trap of materialism. The pastor also addresses the topic of forgiveness and letting go of control, emphasizing the importance of forgiving others because God has forgiven us. He encourages the congregation to let go of their own baggage and failures, and to focus on what truly matters.

The pastor then addresses the congregation during a season of temptation to buy more for themselves. He emphasizes the importance of being generous as a church and reaching out to the "least of these" that God has brought to their doorstep. He also warns against the dangers of greed, emphasizing that life does not consist of possessions and material wealth, despite what society and advertisements may tell us. He encourages the congregation to recognize their worth and identity in Jesus, rather than in the things they own or wear.

Reflecting on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the pastor highlights how the enemy deceived them by introducing the idea that they needed more to be fully satisfied and happy. He emphasizes the lie that "more is better" and how society has bought into this mindset. He also emphasizes the importance of having a relationship with God to fill the void in our hearts, explaining that this void is caused by sin, which makes us feel unworthy and guilty. However, he reassures the congregation that Jesus fixed this condition through his sacrifice on the cross.

The pastor encourages the congregation to leave their baggage at the front door and not carry it around with them. He reminds the congregation that this world is not their final destination and that there is more beyond this earthly life. He acknowledges that it is natural for people to accumulate and carry the wrong stuff in life, such as hurts, distractions, disappointments, and failures. The pastor also addresses the issue of chasing after worldly possessions and the pressure to constantly accumulate more. He emphasizes that the world is constantly shouting at us, telling us that we need more, but God can bring contentment and help us detach from material possessions.

Finally, the pastor emphasizes the importance of generosity and being willing to share. He challenges the congregation to consider whether they are accumulating earthly possessions that they cannot keep or investing in heavenly treasures that they cannot lose. Living with one hand free, unburdened by the pursuit of worldly possessions, allows believers to worship the Lord and extend a helping hand to others.

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 19:16-22 (NIV) — > Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

2. Ecclesiastes 4:6 (NIV)
> Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

3. Luke 12:15 (NIV)
> Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

#

Observation Questions

What did Jesus tell the Rich Young Ruler to do in order to be perfect? How did the young man respond? ([52:46])
According to Ecclesiastes 4:6, what is better than having two handfuls with toil?
In Luke 12:15, what does Jesus warn us to be on guard against, and what does he say life does not consist of?
What metaphor does Pastor Mike use to describe the things we carry in life that God never intended for us to carry? ([38:25])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus asked the Rich Young Ruler to sell all his possessions and give to the poor? What does this reveal about the young man's heart? ([52:46])
How does the concept of "one handful with tranquility" challenge the societal belief that "more is better"? ([42:52])
What are some modern examples of the "abundance of possessions" that Jesus warns against in Luke 12:15? How might these possessions affect our spiritual lives? ([47:36])
Pastor Mike mentions that our worth and identity should be found in Jesus, not in material possessions. How does this perspective change the way we view our belongings and wealth? ([48:16])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there any "baggage" or material possessions that you feel God is asking you to let go of? How can you start this process? ([38:25])
Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you take steps towards forgiveness this week? ([41:50])
How can you practice "one handful living" in your daily life? What are some specific actions you can take to focus on what truly matters? ([42:52])
In what ways can you shift your focus from accumulating earthly possessions to investing in heavenly treasures? What practical steps can you take to make this shift? ([58:20])
Pastor Mike challenges us to be generous and share with others. Identify a specific way you can be generous this week, whether through your time, resources, or talents. ([58:20])
How can you cultivate a sense of contentment in your life, especially during seasons of temptation to buy more? What strategies can you use to resist the societal pressure to accumulate more? ([50:01])
Think about a time when you felt the void in your heart that Pastor Mike described. How did you try to fill it, and how can you turn to God to fill that void instead? ([44:35])

Sermon Clips

"The world is shouting at you, you need more, you need more, go get in debt to get more, and I want us to know that God can bring a contentment in us that we don't have to be attached and bring our stuff along the journey as it weighs us down." [50:01]

"We need to have a throw out mentality, not throw up...we need to throw out some stuff as if our life depends on it because for somebody it could be the very thing draining you of your life trying to maintain it all." [51:04]

"Watch out...be on your guard against all kinds of greed...life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." [47:04]

"We are not what we have, we are not what we own, we are not what we drive, we are not what we wear...we are so much greater than that because of who Jesus says we are." [48:16]

"For some of us, this is what we've been carrying into our life and it's dragging our hearts down... I thought truly living was having the biggest and the most and the shiniest. Paul's going to remind us the life that's truly lived is one of generosity." #!!01:10:14!!#

"Are we accumulating on Earth what we cannot keep or are we investing in heaven what we cannot lose? That's one-handed living... I can Worship the Lord with one hand, I can honor him no matter what season I'm in, I always have a free hand to worship." #!!01:10:52!!#

"He introduces what culture has gravitated to and made their Mantra, he introduces this idea that I am not fully satisfied or fulfilled or happy until I have what I don't have... until you have more, you'll never have enough... this idea that my enemy spoke into the beginning of Genesis and he lied to Adam and Eve and said you will never be content until you have what you don't have." #!!44:35!!#

"Better is one handful with peace and tranquility than having two that you're always trying to get more and chase after and get tired doing... it's better to have less of the stuff that doesn't matter and more of the stuff that does matter." #!!45:53!!#

"We buy stuff we don't need with money we don't have to impress people we don't even like... it's an illusion folks so that I only pursue or that I pursue only what is true which is true which is he is my source church he is what bring brings joy into my life he is my provider he is what brings value to me not my stuff." (#!!01:03:22!!#)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?