II. Pharisee: Religion without relationship with God | Luke 18:9-14

A Pharisee is...

• concerned with outward appearances

• judgmental & critical of others

• in love with position & title in church

• not aware of their sinful nature

• not aware of their constant need of God’s help

• Ask God for awareness

• Tell someone (practice frequent confession)

• Stop judging outward spiritual behavior of others

• When was the last time you did a “religious act” for someone other than God? What was it?

• Have you ever struggled with the way of the Pharisee? What do you do when it surfaces in your life?

• Do you identify more with the Pharisee or tax collector in Luke 18?

by Ken Wilson

by Carol Bonomo

by Henri Nouwen

I. The command of Christ | John 13:31--‐35

• “Love one another as I have loved you...”

• “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples...”

• 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

• 1 John 2:3-11

• Non-believing Jews and pagan critics of the early church brought the charge.

- Early Christians are idiots because your own prophets say that when the Messiah comes people will learn war no more. The nations are still practicing war, so it is clear that Jesus is not the Messiah.  - Celsus

• The early church fathers have an answer to this.

- Jesus is the Messiah. The church comprises people of every tongue and tribe who used to make war with each other. But they have been baptized, and they no longer make war with one another and learn war no more. The nonviolent church is the apologetic for Jesus being the Messiah.

• In Jesus‘ most intimate moment with his disciples before the cross, he did not give them a sermon or teaching, but foot-washing and communion.

by Lee C. Camp

 

Peter Habyarimana - I was born into a very poor family in the Kiga tribe in Uganda. At the time of my birth, almost 50% of the children who were born in my village did not reach the age of two. Because my mother feared that she would lose me, I did not have a name for the first two years of my life. But day by day, God’s provision proved sufficient and I reached the age of two.

My mother realized that I could make it to the age of three and therefore gave me the name, Habyarimana; which means “a produce or a gift from God.” For my mother, this name was a description of what the Lord had done for her in keeping me alive. For me, this name has become a daily reminder of God’s grace and protection over my life. My mother is no different than any other woman in my village who fears losing their children. Every day, mothers face the reality that their child’s life is not assured to them. It is amazing how God protects all humans. He protected me as a child born in Africa with no food, no hope, no dreams. God protected, provided, and had mercy enough to raise me to this day, just in the same way that He raises and protects the children here in America who are named before they are even born. God loves us all and protects us all.

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” 

Kirk Schauer is the Founder and International Director of Seeds of Hope International Partnerships, a nonprofit organization that works to reverse the downward spiral of poverty by empowering community members with hope and holistic solutions. While part of a team visiting Zambia in 2003, Kirk was struck by the communities’ need for safe water. He and his wife Denise founded Seeds of Hope to empower Zambians to bring health and transformation to their communities and improve their quality of life.

Prior to starting Seeds of Hope, Kirk served as Associate Pastor of Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Santa Maria, California for nine years. He and Denise have also spearheaded community development projects in Asia, facilitating vocational skills trainings for rehabilitating heroin addicts in Hong Kong, and providing vocational training and helping to plant a church in Cambodia. Kirk and Denise lived in Zambia from 2009 to 2012 to focus their efforts on building the capacity of the Zambian office. As International Director, Kirk engages with civic leaders in communities across Zambia, local and international non-governmental organizations, Rotary Clubs, industry representatives, and religious leaders to work together to bring lasting change.

Under his leadership, Seeds of Hope has grown from nine community members trained in pump repair to a staff of 88 that has brought clean water to approximately 600,000 people. In addition, Seeds of Hope is pioneering holistic community development interventions in proper sanitation and hygiene, agriculture, and business development.

Rob Morris is the President and Co‐founder of Love146, an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation.

Rob thinks it is awkward to write a bio in third person, pretending that someone else is writing it. So he asked those who matter most to him, know him best, and would be the most honest, to tell you about him…his six children:

“Rob is short. He is passionate, funny, patient and makes the best lasagna. He’s a rock star, mentor and friend. Rob’s the most considerate person ever and makes people happy…not sure why, but he has that affect. He gives good advice, is afraid of clowns, and can’t dance. He’s the best speaker I’ve ever heard and his favorite word is “bizarre.” Rob likes the New York Yankees and loves chicken parm. He’s the best storyteller ever and does things that matter and make a difference. “

And from his youngest…“Me and Dad go fishing.”

 

I.             Worthless Spirituality  |  James 1:22-24 

                A.            Hearing only

                B.            Talking boldly

                C.            Doing nothing  

II.            True Spirituality  |  James 1:25-27

                A.            Allowing the Word and Spirit to transform one’s life

                B.            True spirituality translates into action

                Outrageous generosity

                Caring for others

                C.            Devote one’s entire life to pursuing the King and his kingdom  

III.           Practicum  

                A.            Outrageous generosity

                The Church organized

                The Church organic

                B.            Kingdom Justice 2013  

 

For Further Discussion: 

What are some of the things in your life that challenge you from following through and being a doer of the word and not just a hearer?

What would it look like in your life to completely trust God for all provision and to pursue a life of outrageous generosity? 

What things/obstacles/thoughts or attitudes stand in your way? 

Take some time in silence:  What might God be saying to you about this?  What is God inviting you into?

I. The disciplines of spontaneity | 2 Corinthians 8-­9

A. Experiencing the grace of God | 2 Cor. 8:1-­3

B. Giving ourselves (heart) | 2 Cor. 8:4-­5

C. Desire and intentionality | 2 Cor. 8:6-­11

D. Readiness | 2 Cor. 9:3-­5

E. Pre-‐determined, regular giving | 2 Cor. 9:6-­8

F. Spontaneous/outrageous generosity | 2 Cor. 9:8-­15

II.

Practicing the disciplines of spontaneity

A. The church organic | Acts 2-­11

B. The church organized | Ephesians 4:11

C. Everyone needs a plan for spending, saving, and giving

1. 3 S Giving

• Spontaneously

• Sporadically

• Sparsely

2. 3 P Giving

• Priority

• Pre-­‐determined %

• Progressive %

For Further Discussion:

• Describe a time in which you were able to be spontaneous in generosity? What did it feel like? Did you ever regret giving?

• If you have both the desire and resources to be generous, what might stand in your way of giving?

• What have been your thoughts/practices in regards to giving to the church? What about giving outside of the church? 

• Do you have any objections to the discipline of giving to the organized church? What are they? Can they be reconciled? How?

• What did you think of the two giving plans? What has worked for you?

Good Reads:

by Dallas Willard

by Randy Alcorn

by Randy Alcorn

I. Who is rich anyway? | 1 Timothy 6:17-19

A. Problems of the rich and famous...

B. You might be surprised to discover that you are rich!

II. Why don’t I feel rich?

A. It is “Affluenza” season

B. Feeling strapped

C. Chasing the wind | Ecclesiastes 5:10-15

III. How to be rich | 1 Timothy 6:17-19

A. Don’t...

1. Don’t be arrogant!

2. Don’t allow your hope to migrate to the uncertainty of riches.

B. Do... 

1. Do good.

2. Do more.

3. Be generous and ready to share.

4. Take hold of life - true life!

For Further Discussion:

• How did it make you feel to discover that most Americans are rich when you consider global economics? Do you believe it as presented?

• What are the biggest reasons people do not realize just how rich they are? What about you? 

• Has your hope ever migrated toward riches? What were the signs that it had moved? What was the result?

• What do you think Jesus’s reaction/response would be to an “Occupy Wall Street” kind of movement?

• What can you do to demonstrate that you are placing your hope in God rather than riches? How does it make you feel to be instructed to

be generous?

Good Reads:

by Randy Alcorn

by Randy Alcorn

by David Platt

I. Protecting our hearts | Luke 12:13­‐26; Matthew 6:19­‐24

A. Protecting our hearts from greed, anxiety, and insecurity 

1. The American Dream and greed

2. The ultimate insecurity of things

B. Protect the heart and not the treasure

1. We cannot serve two gods!

II. Investing our hearts | Luke 12:27‐32

A. In an alternative kingdom...the Kingdom of God that confronts, challenges, and changes all pre­‐existing allegiances

1. Ultimate security is found in trusting God

B. Treasures in heaven?

III. Giving generously from the heart | Luke 12:33­‐34

A. Outrageous generosity is only possible through a heart submitted to the kingdom of God.

B. An exercise for us all: tracking our treasure 

For Further Discussion:

• In your family of origin, what were you taught regarding money management? What atttudes and practices were imparted to you by your

parents or those who raised you?

• Did you agree or disagree with the idea that the American Dream is an alterna*ve dream, kingdom, and life to the kingdom of God? 

Why or why not?

• Did this talk personally confront/challenge you to change? If so, in what ways? If not, why not?

• What do you think “treasure in heaven” speaks of?

Good Reads:

by Randy Alcorn

by Randy Alcorn

by David Platt