Letting Go: Embracing God's Blessings in 2024
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! As we step into 2024, many of us carry the same burdens from the previous year. However, we still have countless reasons to praise God. We are alive, breathing, and free to worship Jesus. Today, I want to encourage you to lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Our message this morning is titled "Just Let Go," and it focuses on the importance of releasing the things that hold us back from fully experiencing God's blessings.
New Year's resolutions often fail not because we lack commitment, but because we fail to let go of the things that hinder us. This principle applies not only to our physical lives but also to our spiritual lives. We can start the year with the intention of growing closer to Jesus, but if we don't let go of the habits and burdens that hold us back, we won't see progress.
The story of the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-22 illustrates this point. The young man had followed all the commandments but couldn't let go of his wealth to follow Jesus. This story isn't just about greed; it's about recognizing what we hold above God. Jesus knew the young man's heart and pinpointed the one thing he couldn't let go of. Similarly, we must identify and release the things we hold above God.
We often find ourselves devoted but not true disciples. We can be active in church, give tithes, and still miss the essence of following Jesus if we don't surrender our hearts. The rich young man was devoted but not a disciple because he couldn't let go of his wealth. In 2024, let's not miss out on God's blessings because we are holding on to things we should have laid at the cross.
We need to let go of our pain, our indecisiveness, and our anger. Pain can secretly kill us if we don't deal with it. Indecisiveness can keep us stagnant, and anger can seduce us into believing we are fighting God's fight when we are actually far from His anointing. Letting go of these things will free our hands to receive God's blessings.
As we close, remember that Jesus is ready to take our burdens, our pain, and our anger. Let's make 2024 a year of open hands and hearts, ready to receive what God has for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. Release Your Burdens to Jesus: We often carry the same burdens year after year, but Jesus invites us to lay them at His feet. Holding onto these burdens prevents us from fully experiencing God's blessings. Letting go is an act of faith and trust in God's ability to handle what we cannot. [11:57]
2. Devotion vs. Discipleship: It's possible to be devoted to church activities and still miss the essence of following Jesus. True discipleship requires surrendering our hearts and letting go of anything we hold above God. The rich young man was devoted but not a disciple because he couldn't let go of his wealth. [40:04]
3. The Power of Letting Go: New Year's resolutions often fail because we don't let go of the habits that hinder us. This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. We must identify and release the things that keep us from growing closer to Jesus. [36:43]
4. Dealing with Pain: Unresolved pain can secretly kill us. We must face and deal with our hurts rather than pushing them aside. Jesus offers freedom, but we must be willing to confront and release our pain. [45:09]
5. Overcoming Anger: Anger can seduce us into believing we are fighting God's fight when we are actually far from His anointing. Letting go of anger and embracing humility and forgiveness is crucial for spiritual growth. [59:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:57] - Invitation to Lay Burdens Down
[30:55] - Announcements
[33:50] - Introduction to "Just Let Go"
[36:43] - The Power of Letting Go
[37:43] - The Rich Young Man
[40:04] - Devotion vs. Discipleship
[45:09] - Dealing with Pain
[49:50] - Overcoming Indecisiveness
[59:01] - Letting Go of Anger
[01:06:27] - Closing and Offering
[01:10:35] - Final Announcements and Prayer
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."
### Observation Questions
1. What did the rich young man ask Jesus, and how did Jesus initially respond? (Matthew 19:16-17)
2. Which commandments did Jesus list when the young man asked which ones to keep? (Matthew 19:18-19)
3. What did Jesus tell the young man to do to be perfect, and what was the young man's reaction? (Matthew 19:21-22)
4. According to the sermon, what are some things we need to let go of to fully experience God's blessings? [44:27]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the rich young man found it difficult to let go of his wealth, even though he had kept all the commandments? (Matthew 19:21-22)
2. How does the story of the rich young man illustrate the difference between being devoted and being a true disciple? [40:04]
3. What are some modern-day equivalents of the "wealth" that the rich young man couldn't let go of, which might be hindering us from following Jesus fully? [41:30]
4. How can unresolved pain and anger affect our spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [45:09] [59:01]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Is there something you are holding onto that might be preventing you from fully following Jesus? How can you begin to let go of it? [41:30]
2. The sermon mentioned that unresolved pain can secretly kill us. Is there a specific pain or hurt in your life that you need to confront and release? What steps can you take this week to start dealing with it? [45:09]
3. Indecisiveness can keep us stagnant. Is there a decision you have been putting off that you feel God is calling you to make? What is one step you can take this week to move forward? [49:50]
4. Anger can seduce us into believing we are fighting God's fight. Is there someone you need to forgive or a situation where you need to let go of anger? How can you practice humility and forgiveness in that situation? [59:01]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of having open hands to receive God's blessings. What practical steps can you take to ensure your hands and heart are open to what God has for you in 2024? [42:04]
6. How can you differentiate between being devoted to church activities and being a true disciple of Jesus? What changes might you need to make in your life to move from devotion to discipleship? [40:04]
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you have been saying "I don't know" to God's calling. What would it look like to take a step of faith in that area this week? [49:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Release Your Burdens to Jesus
Many of us carry the same burdens year after year, but Jesus invites us to lay them at His feet. Holding onto these burdens prevents us from fully experiencing God's blessings. Letting go is an act of faith and trust in God's ability to handle what we cannot. When we release our burdens to Jesus, we open ourselves up to the freedom and peace that only He can provide. This act of surrender is not a sign of weakness but a demonstration of our trust in God's strength and love.
Jesus understands the weight of our burdens and offers us rest. He calls us to come to Him with our worries, fears, and pains. By laying our burdens at His feet, we acknowledge that we cannot carry them alone and that we need His help. This year, let's make a conscious effort to release our burdens to Jesus and trust Him to take care of us. [11:57]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to release to Jesus? Take a moment to pray and ask Him to help you let go and trust Him with these burdens.
Day 2: Devotion vs. Discipleship
It's possible to be devoted to church activities and still miss the essence of following Jesus. True discipleship requires surrendering our hearts and letting go of anything we hold above God. The rich young man in Matthew 19:16-22 was devoted but not a disciple because he couldn't let go of his wealth. This story teaches us that devotion alone is not enough; we must also be willing to surrender everything to follow Jesus.
Being a disciple means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else. It involves a deep, personal commitment to follow Him, even when it requires sacrifice. As we reflect on our spiritual journey, let's examine our hearts and identify anything we might be holding above God. True discipleship calls us to let go of these things and fully surrender to Jesus. [40:04]
Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: Is there something in your life that you are holding above God? What steps can you take to surrender this to Him and become a true disciple?
Day 3: The Power of Letting Go
New Year's resolutions often fail because we don't let go of the habits that hinder us. This principle applies to our spiritual lives as well. We must identify and release the things that keep us from growing closer to Jesus. Letting go of these hindrances allows us to make room for God's work in our lives and experience His blessings more fully.
The process of letting go can be challenging, but it is essential for spiritual growth. It requires self-examination and a willingness to change. As we enter this new year, let's commit to identifying and releasing the habits, attitudes, and burdens that hold us back. By doing so, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of God's love and grace. [36:43]
Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."
Reflection: What habits or attitudes are hindering your spiritual growth? How can you begin to let go of these things and make room for God's work in your life?
Day 4: Dealing with Pain
Unresolved pain can secretly kill us. We must face and deal with our hurts rather than pushing them aside. Jesus offers freedom, but we must be willing to confront and release our pain. Holding onto pain can prevent us from experiencing the fullness of God's love and healing. By addressing our pain, we allow God to bring healing and restoration to our lives.
Dealing with pain requires courage and vulnerability. It involves acknowledging our hurts and seeking God's help to heal. As we confront our pain, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus understands our suffering and is with us every step of the way. Let's take the necessary steps to address our pain and experience the freedom that Jesus offers. [45:09]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: What pain are you holding onto that needs to be addressed? How can you invite Jesus into your healing process and allow Him to bring restoration to your life?
Day 5: Overcoming Anger
Anger can seduce us into believing we are fighting God's fight when we are actually far from His anointing. Letting go of anger and embracing humility and forgiveness is crucial for spiritual growth. Anger can cloud our judgment and lead us away from God's will. By releasing our anger, we open ourselves up to the peace and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Overcoming anger involves recognizing its presence in our lives and choosing to respond with humility and forgiveness. It requires us to seek God's help in transforming our hearts and minds. As we let go of anger, we can experience the freedom and joy that comes from living in alignment with God's will. [59:01]
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Is there someone you are holding anger against? How can you begin to let go of this anger and embrace forgiveness and humility in your relationship with them?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "It's 2024, and maybe you're like, you know what, Pastor Sam? It's a new year, but I still got the same burdens. But can I tell you this morning, you still have reason to praise. Amen. Can I tell you this morning you still have a reason to thank God because you're standing in this room right now we are freely praising Jesus you are breathing air your heart is beating you have reason to praise." [11:57] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We don't stick to resolutions and we fail at doing these things oftentimes not because we fail to grab a hold of something but because we fail to let go of something. Like for me, I've been trying to lose some weight. I'm a husky boy. And I've done multiple times in the last five, ten years where I'm like, you know, this is going to be it. I'm going to lose this weight. And I go to the gym, I start working out, and I'll make it like a few months in and then I give up because I didn't really see any progress." [35:16] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Too many times we go through life and we're like alright Lord I'm here at church I'm ready for a blessing we just go in. We'll say this is a blessing. Actually we'll use a water bottle. And we're like Lord I'm ready for the blessing. And we put the water bottle and eventually the water bottle will fall off. Lord I give the blessing. And we're wondering why the blessing doesn't stick because we got too much baggage in our hands." [43:22] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Don't stand on the other side of your calling. Don't stand on the other side of your blessing, of your breakthrough. Because Jesus is never going to swing you a rope that's just going to reach all the way. You're going to have to reach out. You're going to have to leave your place of comfort. You're going to have to leave your place of hurt. You're going to have to leave your place of maybe. You're going to have to leave your place of anger to grab a hold of the rope that Jesus has for you." [07:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The freedom that Jesus has for you is better. And you're like, well, what does this have to do with the rich man? What does this have to do with leaving it to Jesus? Because honestly, Jesus will come to you and say I am here. Leave your hurts at my feet. But sometimes in order for us to leave it at our feet, at his feet, we have to deal with it. We have to face it." [48:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We can start 2024 and go, alright, Jesus I'm getting closer to you. We're like, yeah then by like May we're like, why am I not closer to Jesus? It's because you didn't let go of some of the habits you have that are keeping you from getting closer to him in the first place. If we're being super honest with ourselves and we're like, you know I'm going to start doing this and start doing that but you failed to let go of the things that are keeping you back." [36:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's easy to be devoted but not a disciple. And that's what the rich man was. And Jesus said you want to know how to get into heaven I'm going to pinpoint the one thing I know you. Oh my gosh. The one thing you know that you hold above me. And he said give your wealth. And I feel like at that instant the rich man knew who his true God was. And he turns and the Bible says he hangs his head, turns around and walks away." [41:04] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How many times in 2024 do we miss out on the blessings of God because we are still holding on to things that we should have laid at the cross a long time ago? We go God, why won't you bless me? The problem isn't He's not going to bless you. The problem is that you don't have hands to receive. Your hands are too busy for you to hold on to what he has for you because it's still stuck with all this garbage that we somehow hold up to a higher regard than him." [42:04] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Don't let your pain secretly kill you. Don't let those hurts you've had secretly kill you on the inside out. Because I had this huge pain and it was affecting everything that I was doing because I would not deal with what's on the inside. And I see it time and time again, time and time again of people who get hurt and you just see them over and over and days and weeks and months just begin to decline because they refuse to deal with it." [47:20] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The anger that you hold, you know what the real sinful part is? It's the pride. Said I'm better than them. Jesus is saying who do you think you are? I'm better than them. And so Jesus asks us to let go of our pride and we go and we walk away with it. Just if we're really real with ourselves, we never say it but we're like no my way is better than yours God. Because that's what anger does. Because Jesus calls you to humility. Jesus calls you to forgiveness." [01:05:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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