Calvary Baptist Church - Canyon Texas - David Crump, Pastor

Eric Metaxas' book, Seven Men

It was March of 1783. the American war for independence was won. It would be another 6 months until a peace treaty with England was signed.

But the mood among the American army was turning ugly.

The new government was broke.

Congress had made promises to pay the men who gave so much over the years of the war, but the promises could not be kept.

The US government could not pay the back pay and pensions it had promised.

George Washington became aware of a meeting of officers that was set to discuss what has become known as the "Newburgh Conspiracy."

The conspiracy was an idea by US congressmen and American officers to either seize control of the government or to disband the army all together and let the British overthrow the fledgling government. Their threat was to force congress to pay the men who fought for independence.

General Washington sent orders that the meeting of the officers was canceled and called a meeting of his own with them on March 16, 1783.

He spoke to them about their own honor.

He told them that they had fought bravely and that to commit treason or tyranny would tarnish the honor that they had fought for. His address was eloquent, but they were angry and not convinced.

After his speech, the room was silent. They were unmoved.

He told the officers he had something else to read them. He pulled out a letter from a Virginia congressman.

He stumbled over the words, so he reached in his pocket and pulled out a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. His men had never seen him in them before.

He said, "Gentlemen, you must pardon me. I have grown gray in your service and now find myself growing blind."

At that moment, the anger in the room subsided. Those battle-hardened men were utterly changed. Many wept openly as Washington read the letter and then quietly walked out of the room.

His quiet action reminded them that they had given years of their lives together for something greater than themselves.

Their general had given years of service with them for American independence, it changed their hearts and minds to act honorably.

It was something bigger than themselves and it changed the history of our nation.

We all long to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

We were created with a longing for a deep sense of purpose.

To follow Jesus is to abandon self and live for the glory of God

John 8:48-59

v. 49 I honor my Father - Jesus lived to glorify His Father

The Father is worthy of our honor because of who He is

He is the king of glory, the creator, the God who is abounding in love, slow to anger, perfect in holiness,

The Father is worthy of our honor because of what He's done

He has a purpose to rescue and redeem mankind.

Jesus said He came to preach this good news, he came to seek and save the lost, he came that we who were dead in our sins might have eternal life

This is the great glory of the Father, and Jesus said, I will honor Him

v. 50 I am not seeking glory for myself

Jesus set the example for us - we are not to live for our own glory

We are not to live for our own purpose.

We were created to give our lives for God's greater glory

v. 54 if I glorify myself, my glory means nothing

Jesus said this. How much more true in our lives.

When we live like we are worthy of glory, our lives are out order

We are born with a sinful desire to glorify ourselves

But the problem is, that makes us and our happiness supreme in our lives

When the biggest thing you are concerned with is your own happiness, you're in trouble

We all started our marriages thinking, "he/she will make me happy, he/she will meet my needs."

You got into marriage for a couple of years and you realize that you are one needy being

You're hard to keep happy. And so is your spouse

But then you heard the truth of the Scripture that your marriage is not about you, it's about showing the love Jesus to each other - and that changed your life

God has to reorient our priorities

Like the compass in Pirates of the Caribbean, we are always looking for what we want. Always pointing to our own desires

But God has something greater for us to live for

He changes the focus of our desires

YOU AND I ARE MADE TO GLORIFY GOD.

from John Piper

We were made for the express purpose of glorifying God in all times and places and circumstances.

All creation reflects the glory of God, but people are different.

The stars and the trees have no choice

They have no ability to see Gods glory and reason that He is worthy of glory.

Everything in our life is an opportunity to glorify God or to not glorify God. Paul just said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all,” everything, the whole lot of life, “to the glory of God.”

So, every moment of every day you and I will make decisions that either glorify or do not glorify God. This means that everything in our life is an opportunity to glorify God.

In our lives, in our church, the key question to ask about everything is, "will it bring glory to our great God?

My life is not about me.

When I make life about me, I'm miserable.

I want the world to revolve around me, but it doesn't.

It's a constant struggle for me to be happy.

The glory of God

-Gives us a purpose greater than ourselves, our sins, troubles

-it frees me from being constantly troubled about my own unhappiness

-Keeps us from striving to be perfect

-it frees us from hopelessly working to make ourselves perfect. I live for a perfect God.

-Puts our lives in the rightly created order - food, sex, material things, even people - they are not ultimate, God is.

The Westminster Larger Catechism

What is the chief and highest end of man?

Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

God, I've been living as though my own happiness was supreme

It's making me and the people around me miserable

I want your greater glory as my purpose

I have seen your great purpose to save and redeem and I want to live for that greater glory

Discipleship is following Jesus.

It is a commitment to a relationship to him.

It looks like obedience, but is born out of love for Him

Hebrews says following Jesus is like running a race

Hebrews 12:1, 2 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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

It says there are things that can cling to us, entangle us, and keep us from running the race well.

What holds you back?

1. The trap of complacency

Too busy

Too lazy

Care more about your kingdom more than God's kingdom

Paul instructed the believers to warn those who were idle in the church

2 Thessalonians 3:13

And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

2. The trap of defeat and fear

Always trouble, always carrying concerns

He knew you couldn't carry those burdens

This world has more trouble and brokenness than men can handle

Jesus is Savior. Jesus is Restorer.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 55:22 ESV

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

You can trust him to carry the burdens that you cannot

3. The trap of sin

The enemy is always negotiating the terms of your surrender

What would it take to get you to give in?

Pornography, stealing, lying, adultery,

Always looking for ways to tie you up and make you ineffective

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

He leaves out the fine print - what it will cost you

You have to consider the cost

What's the cost of pornography?

When it comes to my sin and brokenness, when it comes to my past

All I know is, Jesus paid it all

"Praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead"

4. You don't know what to do

That's my job and the job of leadership to equip people

We are working and praying throughout how to do better at making disciples here at Calvary. I'll share more of this vision later

Jesus Christ wants you to follow him

He wants you to be free

He paid the price for your freedom

He will give you

Purpose for complacency

Courage for fear

Peace for trouble

Forgiveness and cleansing for your sin

He is a mighty Savior

I'll follow a man like that, won't you?

Will you follow a Savior like that?

Who would be willing to come today and say, "I've not followed you well, but I want to start"

The Universe Declares His Glory

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. (Psalm 19:1, 2 NIV)

We Were Created for God's Glory

everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (Isaiah 43:7 NIV)

John 17:1-5

1. The godhead, glorifying each other, constant glory resonating between The Father and the Son. Distinct, yet unified in being and glory.

2. Jesus, given authority over all people, able to grant eternal life

3. What is eternal life? Knowing God and the One He sent, Jesus Christ.

4. Jesus glorified God by fulfilling the Father's will. He glorified God with His life.

5. As he obediently fulfilled his last, his most difficult act of obedience, He asked the Father to glorify him. Glorify Him in His death - by accepting his suffering and death as payment for our sins - and for God to resurrect him and give him the glory he shared with the Father in heaven.

Jesus lived and died to bring glory and honor to the Father.

To follow Jesus is to live a life of glorifying God.

John 17:6-10

6. Jesus is the greatest expression of Who God is.

8. Jesus' disciples accepted Jesus words. They believed what he said.

They believed Jesus was from God and sent by God.

10. "Glory has come to me through them."

Jesus' disciples were imperfect.

Argued over who was greatest. Abandoned him. Denied even knowing him.

Yet, Jesus was glorified by them.

Jesus' disciples glorified Him by living out their faith in Him.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Moving from indifference to having love for your neighbor is an act of worship

Listening to your coworkers, more than you talk about yourself, so you can know how to pray for them is an act of worship.

Growing in generosity because Jesus has been gracious to you is an act of worship.

Men, learning how to love your wife sacrificially as Jesus loves the church is an act of worship.

Ladies, learning how to honor your husband as you would honor Jesus is an act of worship.

Believing in God's goodness when life is going wrong is a beautiful act of worship.

Living out your faith in God is worship.

Sing praise to God

No fewer than 41 psalms command us to "sing unto The Lord." Singing can serve to focus us, center us. Our fragmented minds and spirits are united in worship.

Join in worship with other believers

When people are gathered for genuine worship, they are like fresh, burning coals warming one another as a great strength and life flows into them all. -Richard Foster

Sing praise to God

Join in worship with other believers

Go, praying.

Go, expecting.

Go, looking for God to do a new and living work in you.

Practice the presence of God

Learn to practice the presence of God daily. Really try to follow Paul's words, "pray without ceasing." Punctuate every moment with inward whisperings of adoration, praise and thanksgiving.

Discipleship begins with relationship

Following Jesus starts with being with him

Before you can work for him, you have to connect with him

God filled the earth with wonderful, beautiful things in a way that reflects his beauty and majesty and worth.

But nothing he created is more beautiful, majestic, or worthwhile than He is.

Our passage today is about bearing fruit.

The Bible is rich in metaphors about producing fruit

Israel is compared to a vine in the OT.

Our growth in the character of God is called the fruit of the Spirit

One of the Genesis mandates was, be fruitful, go fill the earth.

About reproducing and spreading the authority and image of God all over the earth,

But our image of God was distorted by sin.

In our passage today, Jesus will tell his disciples to be fruitful there is a prerequisite: you have to be with me.

John 15:1-11

V. 2 cut off or pruned

Cut off - maybe a reference to one who never belonged to him.

Maybe a reference to losing all reward for not following Christ, but not salvation

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 testing of our work

How does God prune us?

has Gods pruning made you more fruitful?

V. 4. "Remain" is used 11 times in 8 verses.

What is the key to being fruitful in God's kingdom?

The key to being fruitful in God's kingdom is to remain in Christ

Jesus' metaphor is He is the vine, you as branches have to stay connected to Him to bear fruit.

How do you remain in Him?

Be in the Bible daily.

Pray at all times - no relationship works without communication.

Be obedient.

Follow him even in times of doubt or suffering

When one of Jesus' followers remains connected with him, his life can become an endless source of fruit.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 ESV)

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (Proverbs 10:11)

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. (Proverbs 10:21 ESV)

When I am not abiding, daily living with Christ, I don't think Jesus' teaching is true

I think you can produce the fruit that God wants by myself

That's either arrogance or ignorance

Failure to abide in Christ will result in a wasted life.

A lifetime of abiding in Christ produces an endless harvest of the character of the Spirit within and the love of Christ without

No one can sum up all God is able to accomplish through one solitary life, wholly yielded, adjusted, and obedient to Him. - D.L. Moody

Salvation cost you nothing but discipleship will cost you everything.

Salvation happens in an instant; discipleship takes a lifetime.

Salvation is something God does for you; discipleship is something we do with God.

We focus on the moment of a decision, but Christianity is a lifelong devotion to Jesus.

Jesus never said that following him was easy or quick, but he did say following him is worth whatever it costs.

A disciple is one who follows Jesus

Not just "saved" - but obedient and faithful

Not someone who carries a Christian label, but someone who wants to do what Jesus says

Luke 14:25-35 Jesus tells us 5 ways "following me will cost you"

Vv. 25-26 hate those you love and your own life

No one taught more about loving people than Jesus.

What does this mean?

Our relationship with him should be far and above any other relationship we have.

Our relationship with him is supreme, above our own families

No one can be as significant to us as him

Following Jesus is to have him as your first love.

V. 27 Romans made criminals carry their own crosses to be crucified - carried the instrument that Rome exerted her authority over them.

It was a symbol of submission - they were under roman law.

It was a symbol of death

Following Jesus is to willingly submit to him and die to yourself.

Vv. 28-30

Vv. 31-33

Following Jesus is to consider the cost and decide he's worth it.

Vv. 34-35

"Christianity without discipleship is Christianity without Christ." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Jesus said these words when their were multitudes following him.

He had committed followers, he had people who were not followers, but were looking into him.

But he could not have apathetic, half hearted followers.

Jesus accepted one or the other - hot or cold - but not a lukewarm follower

He calls to us with the same words he called to his disciples, "consider the cost, then follow me"

Those who do will find that he is worth it all.

Matthew 13:44

The kingdom of God - not a physical kingdom or realm, but

The rule and reign of God.

When we think of someone ruling over us, what do we think of?

An oppressive government? The English crown over the American colonies?

We think of someone ruling over us, telling us what to do, but with no real concern for us.

But what does Gods rule over us look like?

Jesus said His yoke is easy and his burden is light.

His rule over us is the defeat of sin and death and salvation, righteousness, and peace coming into my life.

Gods rule over me looks like salvation, redemption, mercy, grace.

Gods kingdom is treasure

Jesus is saying that Gods rule, specifically in the context of the gospel, is treasure.

It is of supreme value.

His reign is present in part right now, but will be complete at the second coming of Christ. The blessings we have now in Christ are great (forgiveness, righteousness, acceptance with the Father, no condemnation, the fellowship of Jesus by his Spirit in our lives, progressive transformation into his likeness, gifts of the Spirit, usefulness in ministry, all things working together for our good, etc.).

But the fullness of our inheritance awaits the coming of Christ—no more sinning, no more sickness, nor more injury or trouble, no more depression or spiritual warfare, no more racism, no more war, no more death. All that will come with the final consummation of the kingdom.

In His joy, he sold everything

The man who found the treasure was convinced:

The treasure was worth more than everything else he had.

He gladly - in joy - sold everything he had to obtain the treasure.

It was worth everything he had to get it.

This is the same idea Paul had in mind in...

Philippians 3:7-8

In the parable the man sells everything he has so that he can have the kingdom.

In Philippians 3:8, Paul suffers the loss of all things that he may gain Christ.

The point in Matthew 13:44 and in Philippians 3:8 is that

People who receive the kingdom treasure it more than everything else.

Struggling to let go

Isn't that where we struggle?

Don't we all wonder if having Jesus is really enough?

There are two ways I'd ask for you to consider these verses today.

Clinging to idols

First, we all struggle to let go of things that get in the way of our relationship with God.

A relationship that we know does not honor God,

A fear that we cannot really trust him,

A sin that we cling.

We all struggle with clinging to idols, things that make us feel significant, secure, or give us comfort.

Jonah 2:8

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

Is there something interfering with your relationship with God?

Give it over to him. Give it up. Trade it off because He's worth it.

To have a closer relationship with God, - to get rid of that thing that stands between you and God - He's worth it.

We can lose everything with joy if we gain Christ.

I will hope in Him

The next thing to consider is when we feel like we've already lost something.

A husband or wife, a marriage, a son or daughter, a dream of how we wanted life to be.

This verse says that it's worth it.

That can either be painful for you to hear in the midst of your struggle

Or it can be words of hope.

It's either a struggle for you, that you feel like God has taken something from you

Or it's hope that having Jesus, you'll make it.

After Job had lost so much and was in the midst of confusion about why all this should happen, he said,

Job 13:15a

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

It is when we have walked through some of the grief of our loss and tried to reconcile Gods sovereignty and his love and mercy for me.

He allowed this loss, maybe even orchestrated it, but He is still my only hope.

When you face a loss like that's of a loved one, or of one of your life's dreams, it is often a struggle to believe that having Jesus without that other person or dream is enough. Our faith doesn't get any harder than that.

But one day, your faith, which is being refined, will help you say, He is enough.

Though he slay me, yet I will hope in him.

Though You Slay Me - Shane & Shane

I come, God, I come

I return to the Lord

The one who’s broken

The one who’s torn me apart

You strike down to bind me up

You say you do it all in love

That I might know you in your suffering

Though you slay me

Yet I will praise you

Though you take from me

I will bless your name

Though you ruin me

Still I will worship

Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

My heart and flesh may fail

The earth below give way

But with my eyes, with my eyes I’ll see the Lord

Lifted high on that day

Behold, the Lamb that was slain

And I’ll know every tear was worth it all

Though you slay me

Yet I will praise you

Though you take from me

I will bless your name

Though you ruin me

Still I will worship

Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

Though tonight I’m crying out

Let this cup pass from me now

You’re still more than I need

You’re enough for me

You’re enough for me

Though you slay me

Yet I will praise you

Though you take from me

I will bless your name

Though you ruin me

Still I will worship

Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

Sing a song to the one who’s all I need

Thanks to Andy Stanley for his teaching on guarding your heart.

Today's is the most devastating.

Greed, jealousy, guilt - we've talked about.

They disturb relationships.

Why do we carry anger?

b/c we've been hurt. Someone has taken something from us.

We can get rid of it. Not simple, not quick.

Ephesians 4:25-27

Paul knew what it meant to be hurt, mistreated.

He says that we can get rid of anger.

It's not a matter of circumstances, but of the heart.

Be angry - yet do not sin.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

Carry your anger for a short time.

Don't carry it.

There are some issues you cannot resolve in a day.

Do not give the devil an opportunity.

When you carry anger, you open a door to the devil, an opening to your heart.

You know people who carry anger wreak havoc everywhere they go.

It can affect people who had nothing to do with your anger.

Jealousy says, "God owes me"

Guilt says, "I owe you"

Greed says, "I owe me"

Anger says, "you owe me"

A sense that your ex owes you b/c they stole your marriage

Every time you're hurt, there's a sense that someone took something from you.

It's like an open account. I will keep it open until you pay me back.

The worst thing you can do to yourself is to carry the anger from childhood to adolescence, adolescence to adulthood or marriage.

If up you don't get rid of it, you'll loose sight of whee it came from.

You'll be angry with the people around you and they can't figure out why.

Do not let the sun go down on your anger.

They cannot do anything to close the account.

It happens in marriage all the time.

People get blamed for all kinds of things b/c they never dealt with their anger.

God wants you to close the account. It's devastating to you and the people around you.

Ephesians 4:28-32

V. 31 get rid of all bitterness, malice.

People who are angry have been hurt.

We spend so much time defending why we're angry, but our focus is on how to get rid of it.

But they owe me.

Getting rid of anger takes fairness and the open account of the table.

I know it wasn't fair. I know you were a victim.

V. 32

Forgive. It's hurting you and the people around you.

Forgiveness is canceling the debt.

You don't owe me.

You should have been there

You should have kept your vow.

Forgiveness closes the door to the the accuser.

Forgiveness closes accounts that have been open maybe for years.

Forgiveness breaks the power of anger in your life.

There are horror stories.

We want to hold people responsible, but carrying anger doesn't help.

Paul says, forgive as you've been forgiven.

None of us were innocent before God, we sinned against him, but God forgave us. He canceled our debt.

He sent his son to die for our sin.

"I've got anger, pain, rejection, but if you can cancel my debt, I can cancel the people who've hurt me."

They cannot pay you back anyway.

They can't give you back your childhood, your first marriage.

Forgiveness breaks the power of anger in your life and clears out our hearts.

1. Identify who you're angry with. Your temptation will be to point to the people close to you now. But go back a season or two.

2. Decide what was taken from you. Not a quick process. Keep a list. If you're going to forgive the debt, you have to know what you're forgiving.

3. Cancel the debt. Make the decision. Made a list, burned it. Bury it in the yard under a cross. Remind yourself. He doesn't owe me anymore.

Don't let the sun go down on your anger.

"What did they take from me?

I'm going to forgive."

Close the books and close the door.

You will feel those feelings to want to pay them back.

The day will come when you see them again and y won't feel the way you used to.

You'll hear their name and not say anything bad about them.

What's happened? God has set you free.

Guard your heart above all else. It is the wellspring of life.

"I'm not greedy, I could be more generous though".

No one thinks they're greedy. They say they're "careful", "take care" of their stuff.

We think of Scrooge - I'm not like that.

There are different kinds of greed.

It affects your money and your relationships

It's almost impossible to see.

Greed is a heart issue - Gods word helps us rid of it

Luke 12:15 "be on guard for all kinds of greed"

There are All kinds of greed.

"A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Hoarding, adding, shopping for more stuff.

This greed is life= more, newer stuff, collecting, purchasing.

Then when asked to give, we have no money.

We spend hours, days, months figuring out how to upgrade, but then when we want to give we can't b/c we don't have the cash.

That's never stopped you from spending, just giving.

That is living as though upgrading, and acquisition=life.

This is the theme of our society.

It's greed.

Greed says, "You owe me"

It can impact your relationships

You will hurt people's feelings to get and protect your stuff.

People around you feel like they come second after your stuff.

You live your life as if acquisition and upgrading is your life.

It's not a financial problem, it's a heart problem.

Our attitude toward spending - we'll spend money we don't have to buy something we don't need.

But we won't or can't give b/c we don't have cash.

We have to be on guard b/c this is a tendency of our hearts

Guard your heart - it makes your kingdom decisions.

Our culture constantly reminds us of what we don't have.

We all want a more generous heart, we'd pray for it. We all want it.

Jesus gives a way for God to deal with greed in our hearts.

Matt 6:19-21 do not store up treasure on earth, but in heaven.

Doesn't mean no savings. Proverbs says store up for life's actualities

He is addressing who swap old for new, upgrading, hoarding.

Give your stuff away - treasures in heaven

Luke 12:33

Move things out of your kingdom - giving is sending treasure to heaven

Don't be a hoarder

Not just b/c of the poor, b/c of this principle.

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be

There is a connection b/n your stuff and your heart

Follow the money trail to find your heart.

That's how you know where your heart is

Your heart follows your money.

The reason God wants us to give generously, is because where you send your money will direct your heart.

God's not interested in the money. He's interested in your heart.

Systematically send money out of your kingdom.

Your money has the potential to redirect your heart

Strategic, systematic generosity will break the power of greed in your heart.

This principle works, it changes your heart, your family, your relationships

Matthew 6:22-23 The eye is the lamp of the body.

The eye directs the body, so treasure directs the heart.

Not just where you are, but where you're going.

In Greek, v. 22., "good" not used anywhere else in the Bible, outside the Bible, can mean "generous"

He's using a play on words.

If you have generous eyes, your whole life will be full of light

"Bad" is translated "envious" in Matt 22

Envious eyes will lead your whole body to be full of darkness.

How you handle money can affect your whole life,

Not a surprise. Money affects your marriage, right?

How can little green papers affect your marriage and love life?

B/c greed affects every area of your life.

Ever met an unhappy generous person? Their whole life is full of light.

Ever met a happy greedy person? Their whole life is full of darkness.

This isn't a financial issue, it's a matter of your heart.

You have to make the tough decision to send your money in a new direction b/c generosity will break the power of greed over your life.

How does this work?

Only used stuff? Never buy anything? Live in a shack?

The practical way to apply this: percentage, priority giving.

Give a percentage and before you spend your income on your kingdom.

Get it out of your kingdom, not relying on emotional giving.

Make it first priority - Putting someone else ahead of you.

Grow progressively - growing in percentage

If that scares you, it's b/c you're greedy.

It's not about money, it's about your heart.

It will change what drives you.

It will improve your relationships

It will make you happier

The money you give away wont give you anxiety.

Before you get sucked into buying something you didn't need, give it away.

You'll never meet a person who regrets being more generous.

You've never met a greedy person who wasn't miserable.

I've never regretted the money I've given away.

There's no magic prayer.

Sit down. Think about percentage. Give it in priority.

The average American gives 2%. The average American Christian gives about the same.

Yet we are in the most prosperous society on the world - why? Greed

Redirect your money, it will redirect your heart and bring light into your life and relationships.

Thanks to Andy Stanley for a lot of the content for this series is from his teaching from years ago.

Your heart drives your whole life.

Proverbs 4:23

We lead, parent, handle money, live married from our hearts

We know how to filter our words and behavior, but need to learn how to guard - and monitor - our hearts.

Jesus said your mouth speaks what's in your heart.

We create a filter, bur blow through that filter and find out there's something wrong in our hearts.

All of us deal with envy or jealousy at some level.

There are people you don't like because their ahead of you.

The closer you are to them, the worse you feel about you.

"If I had that much money, I wouldn't have spent it like that."

We're critical of them.

We may not even be aware of our own jealousy.

But the people around you are.

Because your mouth has been speaking what is in your heart.

Are there people that you have a hard time saying anything good about?

Are there people that when you are talking about them with someone else, you always say, "yeah, but..."

The Bible says we have to be careful with our tongues.

Our words are like seeds that we scatter and one day we'll eat their fruit.

Proverbs 18:20 ESV

From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

If you ate from the harvest of your own mouth, what would you eat?

Some goodness, kindness, grace?

Some bitterness, envy, anger? God has called you out of that darkness.

James 3 says, blessings and curses from the same mouth - this should not be.

When it comes to jealousy, we say, "It's not fair...."

You don't want what's fair.

We actually want to be a little ahead of the next guy.

I need an excuse for the crud in my heart.

What you want wont fix you. If you had what you wanted today, you'd want more tomorrow.

It's a heart issue.

We have insecurities and their success, beauty, strength, money, bring it out.

I think, "you're my problem."

If I can distance myself from you, it will solve my problem.

but you can't solve my problem.

Jealous people make themselves feel better when others fail.

This is the slime of jealousy - you feel better for others to fail.

Those feelings come from your heart.

The people that cause jealousy to surface in you are not your problem.

Your problem is not them, it is a reflection of your relationship with God.

Your real issue is with God.

Jealousy says, "God owes me"

Guilt says, "I owe you"

Jealousy says, "God owes me..." A different body, different parents, more money, looks, brains, talent, different husband/wife

Fair went out with the garden of Eden

Daniel 4:35

all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?"

1 Chronicles 29:12

Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

1cor 12 - God gave spiritual gifts "as he determined"

I think my issue is with people, but

I'm mad at God. He owes me. Not the people you're jealous of.

When you have the guts to go to God and say, "you ripped me off"

They reflect an issue for you that you have with God.

1 Cor 13 you cannot carry love and envy.

God has called you out of the darkness of jealousy.

God has to dredge that up in you and address it with you.

You cannot love the way God intended while you carry jealousy.

It will affect and destroy relationships.

Bring it to God. You think He owes you.

1. Acknowledge your jealousy to God - that you think God owes you.

2. Confess your jealousy to the people that you have been cutting down. You cannot hardly say anything positive about them.

3. Celebrate out loud the people you're jealous of.

"Great idea." "Nice car." "You look beautiful."

Do it publicly. Do it as a habit.

Public celebration will break the power of jealousy.

Refuse to let jealousy rule your heart.

It belongs to The Lord.