Sunday’s message came from a funny place…not funny-haha, but funny because of how I got there. I usually am inspired by a passage of scripture, and allow it to teach me whatever it wants, but for this Written In The Stars sermon series, I really felt like I had a direction from God, and NO CLUE how to get there. It felt like it should cross so many bridges, I wasn’t sure how to bring them all together.
On one hand, I knew I wanted to teach generosity, and not in a necessity-based way, like, if the church NEEDS something, of course I’ll give it…but from a passion-driven place.
On the other hand, I knew God gave me the “stars” concept, and I wasn’t sure exactly where to go with that yet…so, even by Wednesday of last week, I was kind of freaking out.
The beauty of the journey God has me on though, is that He always meets me in that desperation, freaking-out-place. As SOON as I began to read the story of the wise men, it ALL clicked together for me.
I hope it did for you too, but just in case you walked away from that message feeling like “the church is just desperate” or “all they do is talk about money”…here’s another reinforcement—from the WORD—of bringing our best.
Am I taking God’s presence for granted?
Fight why with why
3 Different Reasons that she would give:
worship
wisdom
witness
Kids will ask why, adults will just wonder. You don’t ever stop asking why, you just don’t ask it out loud.
The problem with their question wasn’t that it devalued the woman’s act, it was that it devalued Jesus.
Everybody worships something, why not worship the One who made you?!
Do you know first-hand the grace of God?
People who have just heard about Jesus, they haven’t really owned their faith—they don’t understand this kind of worship.
Saying He’s worthy, is never a waste.
They saw it as a waste, she saw it as worship.
What is He worth to you?
The wisdom of giving. It makes good sense to give. Everything that I’ve bought on this earth, has started to depreciate.
Whatever you worship is what you give weight to.
“I think you were worth it.”
I think it’s wise to give what you cannot keep, to gain what you cannot lose.
It’s worth it if:
You have a place where you can come and be accepted by the blood of Christ.
Your kids come to know Jesus in this ministry.
If you have a place to turn, when your divorce is final, and you feel like your chest is gonna cave in.
In chapter 11, it smelled like death. In chapter 12, it smelled like perfume.
What is done for Christ, is worth it.
All of us have a Lazarus, and all of us have a jar.
Mini-B&B
I have been learning what it really means to walk in true trust of God. To wake up and choose to have dependence on God. Human nature tells us that “I got this” and “I know what’s best for myself.” However, that usually leads to sure destruction. When we are intentionally choosing to give up that control to God and lean in, it all becomes a lot less stressful.
Jeremiah 17 was written by the prophet Jeremiah, who was commissioned to address the sins of Judah. He was called to warn them of their destruction if they did not turn away and repent. Jeremiah was also under the strict instruction of Baruch his mentor when the book was written.
There are still theories who wrote the entire book of Isaiah. Some scholars believe that it had multiple authors besides the prophet Isaiah. This is prophecy written to the exiles in babylon. They rejected God and are living with the consequences, but God reminds that He is coming back for them.
Assignment:
Read:
Answer:
What does Isaiah 50:4 mean?
Share two verses that stuck out to you Jeremiah 17:5-18?
What are some ways you can apply these two chapters in your walk with God?
B&B
Read Matthew 26:6-13
What can you apply to your life from this passage?
Pastor Steven explained why he gave…Why do you give?
Read Rich Randall’s Story, on Candace’s *new project* The FV Voice: https://fv.church/voiceblog/2019/11/30/where-do-i-sign-up
Do you have a giving story like this? What’s your reason for giving to Him?
Do you know first-hand the grace of God?