SERMON NOTES:
The consecrated life is the life of a Jesus follower. It is a unique “set apart” life with Jesus leading and me following. How does money fit in to following Jesus?
Jesus On Money! Jesus loves us way too much to leave us to handle money on our own!
Luke 19 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house,
Jesus is saying …
A relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior shows up in how I handle money!
Luke 18 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus is saying …
Money is by nature a seductively, dangerous obstacle to a life of following Jesus in the kingdom of God!
Luke 12 15“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”20 “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 whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Jesus is saying …
It is natural and often encouraged to put my security in money but my security must rest solely in God! Trusting God while using money – vs – Trusting money while using God!
Study Guide
Solitude, Scripture & Prayer
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”
Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)
Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying? Why this word this day?
What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?
How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”
Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God
The readings this week unpack some of what Jesus says about money. Notice how Jesus, when honestly heard, calls His followers to an attitude and practice of handling money that is truly counter cultural. How are His words counter cultural? Are they “good words” for today? Is it hard to agree with Him?
Monday – Luke 19:1-10
Tuesday – Luke 18:18-29
Wednesday – 1 Timothy 6:6-10
Thursday – Luke 12:13-21
Friday – Matthew 6:19-24
Saturday – Psalm 49
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