Transforming Perspectives: God's Plan for Our Possessions
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker sharing a personal experience of losing their house while on a mission field, emphasizing the importance of being teachable and correctable to experience life change. The speaker then discusses the principle of how our perspective influences our actions, cautioning against having "mailbox faith" or "lottery faith". The sermon transitions to the topic of finances and possessions, urging the congregation to consider whether their investments and treasures are focused on earthly or eternal matters. The speaker also introduces a core discipleship intensive program, highlighting its immersive and practical approach to learning and living out the teachings of the church.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor to guide individuals in their growth in God, mentioning that previous core disciples have experienced life-changing transformations through this process. The sermon then transitions to a new series called "God's plan for your possessions," where the speaker invites a friend, Desmond Frey, to teach on the topic. The speaker then acknowledges that talking about money in church can be uncomfortable but emphasizes the importance of discussing it because Jesus talked about it a lot.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of perception and how it influences our actions. They use the example of a beggar outside the church, noting that while everyone may walk past him, not everyone will give something. The speaker then discusses the importance of understanding different value systems, both in our relationships with others and with God. They emphasize the need to recognize and respect these differences rather than trying to convince the other person to adopt our own values.
The speaker discusses the importance of having a healthy attitude towards money, arguing that money should be seen as a tool rather than something that defines our worth or gives us prestige. They suggest that money should be a servant rather than a master in our lives. The sermon also highlights the importance of seeking God's wisdom in handling money and valuing things according to His perspective. The speaker then discusses the parable of the Good Samaritan and focuses on the different perceptions of possessions, emphasizing the importance of compassion and challenging the listeners to examine their own perceptions of possessions.
Key Takeaways:
- Being teachable and correctable is crucial for personal growth and transformation. It allows us to learn from our mistakes and improve our understanding of God's teachings. This principle is not only applicable in our spiritual journey but also in our daily lives. [39:09]
- Our perspective greatly influences our actions. This is particularly true when it comes to our finances and possessions. We need to examine whether our investments and treasures are focused on earthly or eternal matters. This requires a shift in perspective, prioritizing God's kingdom over worldly possessions. [40:53]
- The importance of finding a mentor in our spiritual journey cannot be overstated. A mentor can guide us in our growth in God, helping us navigate through challenges and providing us with valuable insights from their own experiences. This can lead to life-changing transformations. [28:03]
- The way we perceive and handle money is a reflection of our values and priorities. Money should be seen as a tool to serve God's purposes rather than something that defines our worth or gives us prestige. We should seek God's wisdom in handling money and align our values with His. [42:08]
- The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us about compassion and challenges us to examine our own perceptions of possessions. It encourages us to adopt a mindset of generosity and selflessness, just like the Good Samaritan. This requires us to step out of our comfort zones and extend help to those in need, regardless of their status or background. [49:33]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 10:30-37 - The Parable of the Good Samaritan
2. Matthew 6:19-21 - Treasures in Heaven
3. Luke 12:34 - Where Your Treasure Is
#### Observation Questions
1. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), what were the different reactions of the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan to the man who was attacked by robbers? [48:58]
2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, what are the two types of treasures mentioned, and what are the differences between them?
3. How does Luke 12:34 explain the relationship between our treasures and our hearts?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the priest and the Levite chose to pass by the injured man, while the Samaritan chose to help? What does this say about their values and priorities? [48:58]
2. How does the concept of "mailbox faith" or "lottery faith" relate to the way we handle our finances and possessions? [40:19]
3. What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, and how can this perspective influence our daily decisions and actions? [44:01]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you were teachable and correctable. How did this experience lead to personal growth and transformation? How can you cultivate a more teachable spirit in your daily life? [39:09]
2. Consider your current investments and treasures. Are they more focused on earthly or eternal matters? What practical steps can you take to shift your focus towards God's kingdom? [40:53]
3. Do you have a mentor guiding you in your spiritual journey? If not, what steps can you take to find one? How can a mentor help you navigate through challenges and provide valuable insights? [28:03]
4. How do you currently perceive and handle money? Do you see it as a tool to serve God's purposes or something that defines your worth? What changes can you make to align your values with God's perspective? [42:08]
5. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to adopt a mindset of generosity and selflessness. Think of a specific situation where you can extend help to someone in need, regardless of their status or background. How can you step out of your comfort zone to show compassion? [49:33]
6. How can you apply the principle of seeking God's wisdom in handling your finances and possessions? What specific prayer or action can you take this week to seek His guidance? [43:21]
7. Reflect on the different value systems in your relationships with others and with God. How can you recognize and respect these differences rather than trying to convince others to adopt your own values? [46:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Teachability for Transformation
Being teachable and correctable is a vital aspect of personal growth and transformation. It opens the door to learning from our mistakes and deepening our understanding of God's teachings. This principle is not only applicable in our spiritual journey but also in our daily lives. [39:09]
Proverbs 12:1 - "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you were corrected. How did you respond? How can you cultivate a more teachable spirit moving forward?
Day 2: Shifting Perspective for Kingdom Priorities
Our perspective greatly influences our actions, especially when it comes to our finances and possessions. It's crucial to examine whether our investments and treasures are focused on earthly or eternal matters. This requires a shift in perspective, prioritizing God's kingdom over worldly possessions. [40:53]
Matthew 6:20 - "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
Reflection: What is one earthly possession that you value highly? How can you shift your perspective to see its eternal significance?
Day 3: The Power of Mentorship in Spiritual Growth
The importance of finding a mentor in our spiritual journey cannot be overstated. A mentor can guide us in our growth in God, helping us navigate through challenges and providing us with valuable insights from their own experiences. This can lead to life-changing transformations. [28:03]
Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Reflection: Who is a mentor in your life? How have they helped you grow in your relationship with God?
Day 4: Money as a Tool, Not a Master
The way we perceive and handle money is a reflection of our values and priorities. Money should be seen as a tool to serve God's purposes rather than something that defines our worth or gives us prestige. We should seek God's wisdom in handling money and align our values with His. [42:08]
1 Timothy 6:10 - "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."
Reflection: How do you currently view money? How can you shift your perspective to see it as a tool for God's purposes?
Day 5: Embracing Compassion through the Good Samaritan
The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us about compassion and challenges us to examine our own perceptions of possessions. It encourages us to adopt a mindset of generosity and selflessness, just like the Good Samaritan. This requires us to step out of our comfort zones and extend help to those in need, regardless of their status or background. [49:33]
Luke 10:37 - "The expert in the law replied, 'The one who had mercy on him.' Jesus told him, 'Go and do likewise.'"
Reflection: Who is a 'neighbor' in your life that you can show compassion to today? How can you step out of your comfort zone to help them?
Quotes
"Our perception, the way we see things, is the way we'll act." [01:01:51]
"We're in this exciting series of kicking it off and what an honor you know to throw me in the deep end and talk about money in church... Jesus talked a lot about it and I think it's something that's such a big part of our lives and most of us are very shy about financial things." [35:06]
"Our investments are they more Earthly than Eternal let's see what God has to say about our finances and possessions learn what it means to lay up our Treasures in Heaven." #!!25:56!!#
"Let's Be teachable and correctable, not just teachable... but many are correctable and that's where the life change happens." #!!39:09!!#
"We have to really understand that we cannot live by mailbox faith... it doesn't really work that way... maybe another way is like Lottery Faith." #!!40:19!!#
"If money is a tool to you, you'll do well. But if money is something that you identify with and it gives you value and it gives you worth and all the things and it gives you prestige and whatever else, then it's going to be a great servant but a bad Taskmaster." #!!42:08!!#
"God has a value system when God looks down on you and your life and your neighborhood and all that there's certain things that he values and there are things that he doesn't value and I think it's important for us when we look at our possessions we look what we have that we can ask God what what is your value on this." #!!46:35!!#
"God here's my project would you bless it instead of saying God what is your project cuz I know it'll come blessed already." (#!!47:53!!#)
"A Samaritan...when he saw him he took pity on him." (#!!49:39!!#)
"I'm sitting there for a minute thinking this is going to be a long trip if I'm not going to do this how many even know what I'm talking about it's like you know you know you should but you know so all right Lord turn the key off go back inside again walk up to him and say hey guy um we don't know each other but God just spoke to my heart and he told me to pay for your lunch" #!!57:03!!#
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