Discovering HOPE

By Paul KnightReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Discovering HOPE episodes

July 18, 2021Episode 65: The Weight of Worry
Worry is not from God, and nothing productive comes from it. Join Pastor Eric Kuehner as he guides us how to deal with worry.
-- Selected Verses --
Matthew 6:25-27
(25) Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? (26) Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. (27) Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Stop ____________ about life
He is our _________.
Worry is _________.
Proverbs 12:25 (NLT)
25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Worry means to _________.
Worry _________ your mind.
Worry Affects You in 4 Ways:
1.) ____________
2.) ____________
3.) ____________
4.) ____________
Worrying isn’t good for you.
Worry is Distracting, Consuming, and Paralyzing.
Worry strangles the peace and purpose right out of our lives. \
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Methods for Handling Worry, Stress, Anxiety
A. ____________
(Heb. 12:28; Ps. 95; Ps. 100)
B. ____________
** (1 Thess. 5:17; Jer. 29:11-14; 1 John 5:14-15)**
C. ____________
(Rom. 12:4-5; Prov.11:2; Ex.18:14-15)
D. ____________
(Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Cor. 12:25-27)
E. ____________
(2 Tim. 3:16; Ps. 119:105; Matt. 4:4; Joshua 1:8)
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42 min
July 11, 2021Episode 64: How to Deal with a Smoldering Heart
How do we deal with anger in a Godly biblical way. Pastor Paul continues with the Life Hacks series as we explore a smoldering heart.
-- Selected Verses --
Proverbs 29:22 NIV
An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:18 NIV
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 19:11 NIV
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Ephesians 4:26, 27 NIV
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
-- Serman Notes --
1. The Smoldering Heart!
Proverbs 29:22 NIV
An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.
Proverbs 15:18 NIV
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 22:24, 25 NIV
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Where does anger come from?
A. Anger that starts from a holy discontent
Mark 3:3-6 NIV
Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man,
“Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
B. Anger that starts appropriately but becomes ungodly.
C. Anger that starts from an ungodly source
Ungodly anger is the outward evidence of an inward erosion.
2. Be aware of Anger Danger!
Proverbs 14:17 NIV
A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.
Proverbs 25:28 NIV
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
Negative Responses to Anger
A. Stuff It
B. Stoke it
C. Spew it
Ungodly anger
Ephesians 4:29-31 NIV
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
A person who lives with a continual ungodly anger is demonstrating their unwillingness to submit to God.
3. Positively Dealing with your anger.
Proverbs 15:18 NIV
A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.
Proverbs 19:19 NIV
A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again.
Proverbs 29:11 NIV
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Proverbs 16:32 NIV
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 19:11 NIV
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Let God use your anger to serve His purposes, in you and in the world.
Put your anger out or put it to work.
Positively Processing Your Anger
a. Take ownership of your anger.
Job 19:4 & 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
b. Go under the surface to the source.
James 4:1-4
c. Learn to cross your heart and head.
James 1:19, 20
d. Take your thoughts captive.
Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 10:3-6
FOUR WISDOM DEVELOPING PRACTICES
ONCE A WEEK LIFE HACKS MESSAGE
A DAILY PROVERB – Reading Schedule: June 20 ~ Proverbs 20; June 21 ~ Proverbs 21; June 22 ~ Proverbs 22; June 23 ~ Proverbs 23; June 24 ~ Proverbs 24; June 25 ~ Proverbs 25; June 26 ~ Proverbs 126
A WEEKLY PROVERB -- Memorize & Mediate on the weekly (distributed at services or online).
LIFE HACK GROUPS -- Go to gfhope.org for more information or email: [email protected]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER
For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your LIFE HACK Group, or a watch party
Quick Review
a. Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?
What stood out to you in the message?
As you examine your heart and your head, what causes anger in you?
Is your anger godly or ungodly?
Has your godly anger become ungodly in the way you express it?
How aware are you about the source of your anger? Why do you get angry?
Is there an anger in you that God would want put out?
Is there an anger in you that God would want put to work?
What are your next steps to deal with the anger that is in you or that arises?
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38 min
May 16, 2021Episode 56: You Are Made Amazing!
You are Made on ____________ for a ____________ !
Genesis 1:26, 27 NIV
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Psalm 139:13, 14 NIV
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Have a bold, crazy, risk-taking ____________ in ____________ .
Hebrews 11:6 NIV
And without faith it is impossible to please God . . .
Revelation 3:15, 16 NIV
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV
For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Learn to ____________ things you love for things you love ____________ ____________ .
Romans 12:1, 2 NIV
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. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Philippians 3:7-9 NIV
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Be ____________
Matthew 16:17, 18 NIV
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Matthew 4:19 NIV
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER
For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your life group, or a watch party
Remind each other of the 4 Points main points from the message.
Look up all the passages mentioned under each of the points.
You are made on purpose for a purpose.
What is the importance of knowing that you are made on purpose?
The primary purpose for each person is to bring glory to God. How are you seeking to live your purpose for God’s glory?
Have a bold, crazy, risk-taking trust in God.
Where in your past have you exercise the kind of trust mentioned in the above statement?
Where in your life do you think God is wanting you to “really” trust Him?
Learn to give up things you love for things you love even more.
Read Matthew 22:37-40
Take a moment and clarify what you love most.
Is there something you love that is getting in the way of what you love even more?
Be Church
The church is people not a place. In what ways are you Church?
Church is people not just an individual person, in what ways are you living as church with others?
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33 min
May 09, 2021Episode 55: Being a Great Mom in a Crazy World
“Moms are the Most Essential Workers of our DAY!”
Exodus 2:1-3 NIV
Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.
Hebrews 11:23 NIV
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
The Story of an amazing woman, Jochebed, a mother.
What is it that Great ____________ of Faith Do?
Great Moms of Faith Don’t Live ____________ the ____________.
Exodus 1:8-14 NIV
Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” 11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly.14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.
Hebrews 11:31 NIV
By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
Acts 16:24-26 NIV
When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
Great people of faith don’t live under the circumstances, but live a courageous anticipation of God’s blessing!
Great Moms of Faith Live with a Healthy ________________________
Exodus 1:15-22 NIV
The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, “Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?” 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.” 20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. 22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”
Proverbs 1:7 NIV
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Revelation 3:16 NIV
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Philippians 1:14 NIV
And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
Great Moms of Faith Live a ____________ Culture Defying ____________
Exodus 2:1-10 NIV
Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, 2 and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.4 His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him.5 Then Pharaoh’s daughter went down to the Nile to bathe, and her attendants were walking along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her female slave to get it. 6 She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said. 7 Then his sister asked Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” 8 “Yes, go,” she answered. So the girl went and got the baby’s mother.9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.” So the woman took the baby and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.”
Matthew 10:16 NIV
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
The place intended for destruction and death, becomes the place of deliverance.
Great Moms of Faith Live a ________________________
Hebrews 11:24-28 NIV
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
Acts 7:20-22 NIV
“At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for by his family. 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.
Proverbs 22:6 ESV
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Pray for those under your care.
Pray for their salvation
Pray for their return to relationship to the Lord
Pray that you would not get stuck living “under the circumstances.”
Pray for your personal faith, that it would be white hot.
Pray for a creative courage in protecting your children.
Pray that your faith will influence them.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and THINGS TO PONDER
For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your life group, or a watch party
Read Exodus 1 & 2:1-10
Remind each other of the 4 Points main points from the message.
How do you see the times mentioned in Exodus and our times similar?
Where do you currently feel that you are living under circumstances that God would want you to rise over?
What do you do to nurture your relationship with God and a healthy fear of Him?
How can you prevent the cooling of your heart, so that you are not lukewarm?
As a parent, where could you or would you like to be more creatively courageous in protecting your children?
Think through the most important things of faith you would like to transfer to your children. What are the main things you would like them to know or experience?
It seems that Moses had a period of time where he was not living the faith of his mother, if you have a child/ren that have wondered, what can you do?
See Luke 15
Pray together through the items mentioned above.
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38 min
May 02, 2021Episode 54: How To Increase My Go-yness
HOW TO INCREASE MY GO-YNESS
Mark 16:8-20 NIV
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. [The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.] 9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 12 Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Matthew 28:16-20 NIV
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Increasing Our “Go-yness”
Go-yness Is moving obediently into every place with the ________, ________ ___________ message of Jesus!
Admit Your ___________
Mark 16:8 NIV
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Mark 16:14 NIV
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
Mark 16:16 NIV
…but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
John 3:16-18 NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
___________ Jesus
Mark 16:15, 16 NIV
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:12-14 NIV
Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. 13 These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. 14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
Mark 1:14-17 NIV
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Mark 12:29-31 NIV
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
The word gospel means: ___________
Who is the good news about: ___________
With your ___________
With your ___________
Trust Your ___________ to Jesus
Mark 16:17-20 NIV
And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” 19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Matthew 28:19, 20 NIV
Therefore go . . . . And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
As a Christ follower,
I desire to trust Him for every encounter in my life;
the good, the bad and the ugly.
Bringing My World to Christ
Pick 3 people to pray for:
their ___________
___________ to share the good news in your life
___________ and ___________ when the opportunity comes
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS, THOUGHTS and
THINGS TO PONDER
For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your life group, or a watch party
Read the passage/s
Review each of the points of the message to remind yourself of what was spoken about.
Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?
Together review each of the main points, talk through them, and remind each other of what was said.
ADMIT YOUR EMOTIONS
All followers of Jesus are called to “Go into all the world…” When you think of that command what emotions do you experience?
Discuss how you can submit your emotions to your obedience.
EXPRESS JESUS
In a world that is increasingly full of bad news, how can we be good news givers?
What good news have you experienced lately and how does it point to or include Jesus?
So often people speak about the things of Jesus and the truths about Jesus without speaking about the person of Jesus. What are you doing to keep your relationship with Jesus fresh and current?
Tell about a time when you spoke to someone about Jesus that did not know Him personally.
Have you prepared your story/s of your encounters with Jesus so that you can express it? Take turns and share a recent experience with Jesus
TRUST YOUR ENCOUNTERS TO JESUS
How has the Lord protected you in your past?
Think of the three people you are praying for, how can you turn your encounters with them into God appointments?
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35 min
February 21, 2021 Episode 44: Alabaster Worship
-- Sermon Notes --
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35 min
February 07, 2021Episode 42: Generosity: The Widow's Mite
GENEROSITY (THE WIDOW'S MITE)
What does a kingdom financial perspective look like? God's kingdom requires different math and a different perspective. Pastor Paul Knight explores generosity, giving and the role it plays in our lives.
Mark 12 37-55
NIV
The large crowd listened to him with delight. As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” 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 few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, 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.”
Spying with Jesus...
Mark 12:41
NIV
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.
OBSERVATION #1 = IT ALL BELONGS TO GOD
Mark 12:38-40
The Message
He continued teaching. “Watch out for the religion scholars. They love to walk around in academic gowns, preening in the radiance of public flattery, basking in prominent positions, sitting at the head table at every church function. And all the time they are exploiting the weak and helpless. The longer their prayers, the worse they get. But they’ll pay for it in the end.”
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
NIV
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
NIV
David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, “Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. 11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
Luke 16:10-12
NIV
“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?12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
A KINGDOM PRINCIPLE....
WHEN YOU GIVE, YOU GIVE WHAT IS ALREADY GOD'S.
OBSERVATION #2
SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY MAKES GOOD SENSE!
Mark 12:41-42 & 44
NIV
Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
Proverbs 11:24-26
NLT
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. 26 People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
ESV
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your life group, or a watch party
Quick Review –
Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that challenged, confused, or caught your attention?
Together review each of the main points, talk through them, and remind each other of what was said.
If you have experienced a time when your generosity was blessed by God, tell about it.
Message Discussion:
Observation #1 -- It all belongs to God.
· Why do you think people are so impressed by those with money?
· Do you tend to consider people with money “higher” than those without?
· In what ways and in what areas do you notice yourself flaunting for recognition?
· If Jesus were to observe your giving patterns, what do you think He would say or teach about how and what you give?
· Do you agree with the statement: It all belongs to God?
· How is that demonstrated in your life?
· Discuss the Kingdom Principle: When we give, we give what already belongs to God.
Observation #2 -- Sacrificial Generosity Makes Good Sense!
· Jesus said, the widow gave all. Why could this make sense?
· Michael Jr., the comedian, said that “tithing is not generosity that’s just not stealing.” How do you respond to that?
· To watch his whole message The Right Response with Michael Jr. follow this link:
· Discuss the kingdom principle: You cannot out give God.
· What are your thoughts about Tithing and God’s promises in Malachi 3.
Would you be willing to respond to God’s invitation? http://gfhope.org/giving
Observation #3: Your Impact Can Go Beyond Your Capacity.
· Where have you observed or experienced impact beyond capacity?
· Discuss this equation: Your Gift + Your Faithful Heart + God = Exponential Impact
· Discuss this kingdom principle: Value is not measured by earthly status but by the heavenly Owner!
· Discuss this kingdom principle: Faithfully do your part, then watch God create the impact.
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Our mission is to encourage people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, who let God love them, love him in return, and who love others in Jesus' name. Our vision is to touch with the…

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