The Blessed Life - week 4

The Heart of Serving

3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:3-16
•Jesus separated the difference between knowing and doing.
•Serving leads to the path of blessing.

TWO CRITICAL LESSONS JESUS WAS TEACHING

1. AWARENESS
2. TIMING

THE PATH TO BLESSING

1.If you don’t learn to serve in secret you won’t serve in public.
2.If you don’t learn how to learn, love, and serve the house of God, then you won’t be able to be used by God.
3.If you don’t learn how to serve in the insignificant, in the small, in the areas no one else wants to; then how can you serve anywhere else?
4.The cause of Christ goes through the heart of serving.
HOW IS YOUR HEART TO SERVE?

4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. John 13:4
TRAITS FOR A HEART TO SERVE

1.HAS A WILLINGNESS TO GET INVOLVED.
2.SEES PEOPLE BEYOND WHERE THEY ARE THROUGH THE GRACE AND MERCY OF CHRIST.
3.GOES LOW TO BRING UP.
4.HAS A WILLINGNESS TO GET MESSY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matt 20:28

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name… Phil 2:9
•Share a time in your life when you served in secret. How did God use that time to bless you?
•Discuss the blessing you’ve received from serving in our church now. If you aren’t serving, what will you do to get started, even if it wouldn’t be your top pick? (You can’t start by preaching!
•To have a more blessed life in the next year, how will you step into serving in the insignificant, in the small, and the areas no one else wants to?

Christmas

Matthew 1 18-25
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Luke 2:4-7
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:4-7

Luke 2:8-14
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:8-14

The Blessed Life - Week 3

THE GENEROUS EYE




9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed… Proverbs 22:9 NKJV

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38


TWO WRONG RESPONSES TO GOD’S BLESSINGS

1) PRIDE You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17

2) SHAME 9 Then Jacob prayed, "…O Lord, who said to me…I will make you prosper,' 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Genesis 32:9-10
REMEMBER WHY GOD BLESSED YOU

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2-3

BECAUSE GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH MORE, WE WILL INTENTIONALLY GIVE MORE.


GROWING GIVERS


· THE SPONTANEOUS GIVER
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' Luke 10:35

· THE STRATEGIC GIVER
But generous people plan to do what is generous, and they stand firm in their generosity. Isaiah 32:8 NLT

· THE SACRIFICIAL GIVER
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44

The Blessed Life - Week 2

THE BLESSED TEST


GOD IS TESTING YOU

•WILL YOU LOVE AND TRUST MONEY OR WILL YOU LOVE AND TRUST GOD?
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:10-11 MONEY PROMISES WHAT ONLY GOD CAN PROVIDE


•SECURITY
•FREEDOM
•POWER
•SIGNIFICANCE
No one can serve two masters. 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 both God and Money. Matthew 6:24

10 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. Ecclesiastes 5:10 THE BLESSED TEST

•I WILL GIVE GOD MY FIRST AND MY BEST SO HE CAN BLESS THE REST.
A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. Leviticus 27:30

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me." But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse — the whole nation of you — because you are robbing me. Malachi 3:8 THE BLESSINGS OF THE TITHE

1) TITHING PROVIDES FOR GOD’S WORK THROUGH HIS CHURCH.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Malachi 3:10a

2) TITHING TEACHES ME TO PUT GOD FIRST.

The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives. Deuteronomy 14:23 TLB

3) TITHING INCREASES MY FAITH IN GOD.

‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.’ Malachi 3:10b

…For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23 NLT

WE GIVE TO GOD FIRST

•IT REQUIRES FAITH TO GIVE FIRST. IF YOU GIVE LAST, IT DOESN’T REQUIRE FAITH.
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing… Proverbs 3:9-10

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

How much would you say you love and trust God? Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?
•Share your level of comfort (or discomfort) with the idea of tithing. Discuss your past with tithing and what you’d like your future to be.
•What steps will you take this week to pass the blessed test?

The Blessed Life

Blessed Life - Week One

A HEART OF GENEROSITY

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35



•THE KEY TO THE BLESSED LIFE IS A HEART OF GENEROSITY.

24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:24-25

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, 11


THREE MINDSETS


1) THE BAG: NOT ENOUGH.
…You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes. Hag 1:6 NKJV

2) THE BASKET: MORE THAN ENOUGH.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock…5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. 6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. Deut 28:4-6

3) THE BARN: INFINITELY MORE THAN ENOUGH.
8 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to... Deut 8:8


HOW MUCH CAN GOD BLESS YOU WITH?


Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Luke 16:10-11

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing… Proverbs 3:9-10

16 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 18 "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' Luke 12:16-19

"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:20-21


TALK IT OVER


•Share some of the blessings in your life. How aware of God’s blessing are you on a day-to-day basis?


•Describe your generosity mindset. How is this the key to how blessed your life feels?


•Share the part of the message that spoke the most to you personally. What steps will you take this week to act on how God is leading you?

Carbon Copy II

PUBLIC LIFE

Life’s mission: To lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 NLT

THE LIFE OF JESUS IN ONE SENTENCE

•JESUS WAS ABOUT HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS.
Luke 2:49-50 And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business ?" 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. NKJV

WHAT WAS THE FATHER’S BUSINESS?

1) OUR FATHER WANTS US TO REACH THE LOST.
Luke 5:29-32 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor , but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." NIV

2) OUR FATHER WANTS US TO BUILD THE FOUND.
Mark 3:13-15 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve — designating them apostles-that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. NIV

•WHAT ARE YOU ABOUT?
1 Cor 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. NIV

Carbon Copy

THE UNSEEN LIFE OF JESUS

LIFE’S MISSION: TO LEAD PEOPLE TO BECOME FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST.

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 NLT

WHAT IF WE ARE MAKING IT HARDER THAN IT IS?


Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

KEY THOUGHT:

•LIVING LIKE JESUS PUBLICLY STARTS WITH LIVING LIKE HIM PRIVATELY.
“It is things no one sees that results in what everyone wants.” Craig Groeschel


HOW DID JESUS TEACH US TO LIVE PRIVATELY?


•WE MUST GET AWAY AND GET ALONE WITH GOD.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 WHERE DO WE START?


1) WE MUST MAKE TIME WITH GOD A PRIORITY.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31-33

2) WE MUST INTENTIONALLY ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

GOD IS PURSUING YOU

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10