Category Archives: Sermon Notes
Protect Your Home from a Financial Wrecking Ball
Here is week one sermon notes for our series called: “Home Wreckers!” We are going to tackle 6 of the biggest issues in our homes. You can always hear the podcasts of our message by clicking here. We will be answering questions like:
- Will I ever find my soul mate? Does God want me to be married?
- What happened to the person I married?
- Does raising kids ever get easier?
- What happens after divorce?
- How do we build a family legacy?
These are home wreckers. Selfishness, Addiction, Sexual Sin, Past Mistakes, Generational Cycles, Age differences, Personality differences, Divorce. Home Wreckers!
When I say HOME. I’m talking about single, married, widows. Home doesn’t mean home owners, married, 2 kids, and a dog. You have a home wherever you are in life.
Some of you live in a home with a spouse, a roommate, a partner, alone. We want to talk about your home. Whether that is a trailer, a dorm, an apartment, a duplex, a track home or a mansion.
In this session, we are going to talk about the number one cause of fighting in homes: Money
Money itself is not the problem. Our love for money. Our laziness dealing with money. Our apathy about money. Our pursuit of more money. Our lack of communication about it. Our lack of accountability. Our fear of the future. Are all parts of the problem.
At PromiseLand San Marcos, we want to help you find the TRUTH from Jesus so that your home will not be wrecked by the lies of this culture.
Over the next 6 weeks, we are going to help you look at the teaching of Jesus. Straight from his mouth! Look what happens when we learn from Jesus:
Matthew 7:24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
Wow. We know what a flood can do. Destructive. We are talking about more than the physical structure. We are talking about your home that transcends your house.
Your home- the place in which your domestic affections are centered.
How you view money can destroy your home. It can destroy your marriage. College students, how you view money can put you on a destructive path before you leave school.
Check out these stats:
- 76% of Americans are living pay check to pay check ($50,000 household average income) (cnnmoney)
- 68% of people who are offered employer matching retirement accounts do not participate in them. (cbsnews)
- American average has $7200 in credit card debt. (cbsnews)
- Money was most often reported as a topic of marital disagreement. It beat out tensions about leisure, each spouse’s family of origin, children and religion.
- 31% admitted to lying to their spouses about money. Another third of those surveyed said they’d been deceived by their spouses.
I really don’t need to tell you stats. It is no secret. Dealing with our money is a problem in our homes. It is wreaking havoc.
What are the financial wrecking balls?
(one or more of will attack your home)
- Lazy and Apathetic Attitude
- No Future Planning
- No Accountability
- Selfishness
- Fear of Future | Miserly
- No Trusting God
- Lack of Training and Instruction
- No Healthy Financial Examples in our Lives
- Spending to Heal or Hide our Hurts
- Spouses Have Separate Accounts (secrets)
- Lack of Generosity
- Lack of Integrity with Paying Taxes
- We Don’t Give to God
- No Monthly Budget
Whether we like it or not, we will be attacked by one or more of these issues. You are human! You will be hit by one of them.
But…REMEMBER, JESUS’ PROMISE!
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”
Did Jesus say anything about money? 11 of his 39 parables deals with finances. There are around 800 passages in the Bible that deal with money. Let’s build our homes on the solid rock of Jesus’ teaching. Here is what he has to say about handling money.
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I can’t Serve An All Sufficient God and the god of self-sufficiency at the same time
Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him.
You can’t serve God (Jehovah) and the god of self sufficiency. The lie of money is that it is the source and you earn it. So if you want to be taken care of, then YOU need to get more money so that it will provide what you need.
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I Should Pay My Taxes
Matthew 22:17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”
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I Need to Budget My Finances
Luke 14:28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’
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I Should be Alert/Attentive not Passive or Apathetic
Luke 19: 20 “But the third servant brought back only the original amount of money and said, ‘Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. 21 I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant.’ 22 “‘You wicked servant!’ the king roared. ‘Your own words condemn you. If you knew that I’m a hard man who takes what isn’t mine and harvests crops I didn’t plant, 23 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ 24 “Then, turning to the others standing nearby, the king ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ 25 “‘But, master,’ they said, ‘he already has ten pounds!’ 26 “‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
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If I Give, I Will Receive
Luke 6:38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
Giving means that you are separating from the money and losing control of it. You are sowing seed.
Matthew 6:19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
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God Provides For His Kids
Luke 12:22 …Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 23 For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. 24 Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! 25 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 26 And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
Maybe a more appropriate question before we go any further is, are you a child of God? Have you been adopted into his family and his provision? He promises to take care of his children. We are a part of the promise that goes way back to Abraham. He will bless and take care of those in the family.
If you are not in the family of God, then getting in is not complicated. We don’t deserve his provision. We haven’t earned the right to identify with God.
YET he loves us so much that he offers everyone in here today the chance to be in the family. Jesus came to earth to bridge the gap between God and man. He successfully accomplished that mission when he laid his life down, took on the sin of your past present and future, and nailed it to the cross. He died taking the deserved punishment for your rebellion. But, the grave could not hold him down! He rose from the grave on the third day. Now, he has sent me here today to let you know that when you put your faith in his resurrection and life, then you will be set into the family with him forever! You will be his son or daughter.
AND God provides for HIS kids!
If you have given your life to Jesus and trust him with your salvation, then you can lean on on his resources. You can trust him to provide what you need for today! Pray!
Matthew 6: 11 Give us today the food we need,
Matthew 6:31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
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Generosity is a Heart Issue. It’s about sacrifice not amount or legalism
Luke 21:1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Our PSM financial help ministry is called: MONEYWISE – we are committed to help you break free and release your generosity! We offer two key resources:
- Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University – Monday Nights- 7pm, in the Student Center Theater. (small fee per family to Dave Ramsey)
- One-on-One Financial Counseling with PSM’s best Stewards! (FREE) Create a budget, start a plan to eliminate debt and release generosity!
Why Join a Small Group?
Why join a Small Group?
You can hear this sermon on our podcast by clicking here.
Mark 2: 1 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.(Jesus forgave his sins and then said)… 11“Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
This man needed a miracle. He knew Jesus and Believed in his healing. He knew where Jesus was. BUT he came to impossibility where he needed someone who cared enough to lift him up the wall over the roof, take the tile off the roof, lower him down the hole.
He needed relationship to get from where he was TO his answer…at the feet of Jesus.
The question is not… Where are you going? Do you know Jesus? Do you know where Jesus is?
BUT Who will carry your mat? Who will be there for you when you come up to an impossibility and you need relationship to connect you with your GOD?
Life is so short. What are we doing with it? What are our priorities?
I want to tell you the story of two Noels. I have officiated two funerals for men named Noel. One of the saddest funerals I have officiated was at Fort Sam in San Antonio. I arrived at the outside gazebo to perform the funeral for a 55 year old man named, Noel. I noticed there were only 5 elderly ladies gathered. When the hearse pulled up, the funeral director got out, opened the back door of the hearse and began to remove the casket. By himself, he struggled to remove the casket. I asked where the pallbearers were. He said, “There are none.” So, Matt Brock and I helped remove the casket.
Then there was Noel Rodriguez. When we had his memorial service this entire sanctuary was packed with friends. He wasn’t famous. He wasn’t on the news. Instead, he had made a point in his life to connect with others. One Noel lived a life by and for himself. The other Noel made it a part of his personality and character to connect with others.
I don’t know where you are in life when it comes to personal relationships, but I urge you to consider the truth that you need others and more importantly, others need you.
If we are so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget to invest in others, then we will find ourselves alone on an island.
PROMISEGROUPS ARE SETS OF RELATIONSHIPS. Relationships in small settings are crucial to your spiritual development.
Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (there was a small group in every house)
Acts 11:11-16 talks of Peter and angels going into a house and the Holy Ghost falling upon all that were there.
Acts 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 20:20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
How Does Carrying My Mat Work?
- There is SAFETY. Transparency requires trust. You are in a safe place.
- There is FOCUS – smaller settings allow going deeper.
- There is CONNECTION to GOD – prayer and scripture.
- There is FRIENDSHIP- first name, real conversation, lasting friendship.
- There is SUPPORT – bear burdens, camaraderie, practical help
- There is ACCOUNTABILITY (coaching) – you need someone in your life that realizes you are struggling before you even tell them.
Barriers
- I am shy – things to do at same time (interest groups)
- I have a full schedule already – flexible schedule of groups. You have to say ‘no’ to something to say ‘yes’ to something else. What are your priorities?
- My kids have early bedtimes
- I’m brand new and have nothing to add to conversation.
- I don’t know anyone. I am an outsider.
- I have no idea what to expect.
- I am afraid of being embarrassed.
- I don’t want to be trapped in a group that I don’t like or relate to.
- I have been hurt in a previous church and am not ready for relationships.
Some of our current Small Group leaders and staff members where in your exact shoes a few years back and they took a leap. Check out their story (we showed a video here)
You can make excuses all of your life, but at some point you need to make a move. You need to make a change. You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results.
We have groups on Every day of the Week. From 6am-9pm at night. Buda, Kyle, Wimberley, San Marcos, Lockhart Texas State Students – we have several groups for you. Look for ‘college’, ‘young’ – Men, Women – 5 days of week, Fitness and Recreation, Y tenemos dos grupos en espanol.
YOUR PART:
Fill out a response card today (Write Legibly on your card) OR go to The City, download the new PSM App.
OUR PART:
- We will organize groups and give you Accurate info
- Contact you back by Tuesday (there are a lot of people to contact and it is Labor Day tomorrow). With an invite to the official City group and email or call from the group leader.
Baptism |Sermon Notes
Listen to the podcast of this message here.
In a few minutes we will baptize in the River. Many of you prepared and knew that you would be baptized today. Others of you will be baptized today because God is calling you now. You didn’t plan on it. Throughout the singing and the word of God going forth, he is calling you. You will have to take the cell phone out of your pocket and borrow a towel that we are going to provide. You will have to let your clothes drip dry a bit.
OH, BUT IT IS WORTH IT!!
Over thousands of years, one resource has stood the test of time. Just down this little hill to your left is one of the most biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems known in the southwestern United States.
In a few minutes, some of us will leave the sweltering heat and will descend into the refreshing cool, fresh waters of the San Marcos River. It’s a constant 72 degrees year around. It will relieve our physical bodies of the tension and toil of physical activity.
However, as refreshing and invigorating as the natural river can offer our physical bodies, there will be something happening in our unseen spiritual life.
When humans put their trust in their Creator, and then put steps of obedience after their faith, the supernatural power of God begins a work inside the heart of every believer.
One year ago, David was sitting in a lawn chair just like you. He showed up to watch his brother in law be baptized.
After almost 10 years of marriage, he and his wife had drifted apart and rarely see each other. He started to look for something or someone to fill the void. He thought he had found what he was missing. A co-worker began to give him time and affection. For eight months he had an affair with a co worker. He eventually told his wife. As you can imagine this did not go over very well. They screamed and fought for a couple of days. That weekend they were invited to the River to watch his brother in law get baptized.
“As you started to speak it was as if God was speaking to me through you. It was as if there was no one else there but me. My heart filled with joy to know that Jesus loved me and that He was what I was missing in my life. I chose to get in the river that day and give my life to God. As I rose from the water I felt free. There was no more darkness. I was filled with joy. My savior Jesus Christ had saved me. Since that day I have put God first in my life. He continues to bless me everyday. He has healed me and my marriage. He has healed my wife’s broken heart. He has forgiven me!”
I bring Good News to you Today!
Everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved. “People of San Marcos, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.
Acts 2:23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. Jesus was nailed to the cross and killed. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.
(4000 years ago) King David said this about him: ‘I see that the lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 26 No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. 27 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. 28 You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.
“God raised Jesus from the dead, and we are all witnesses of this. Now he is exalted to the place of highest honor in heaven, at God’s right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today.
“So let everyone (in San Marcos) know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
When people hear this message, their hearts are stirred. They are compelled to act, but often don’t know what to do. They asked this exact question to Peter in the Bible: “Brothers, what should we do?”
The answer is the same today in 2015, everyone in the park today can be set free by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Peter gave them clear steps that I will give you today in the park:
“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.”
Today is the day for you to receive this salvation from Jesus. It is a free gift, but you have to accept it. I can’t do it for you. Your parents can’t do it for you. Your spouse can’t do it for you.
You can return to a right relationship with the creator this morning and it can rock you for the rest of this life and into eternity!
We believe that when we repent of our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us of all our sin and unrighteousness. Then, we have an opportunity to obey in baptism.
Baptism represents the death of the old you and the rebirth of the new you.
It is not just you getting wet. It is not magical. It is not a secret ritual or séance. However, baptism has great unseen supernatural spiritual effect on your life when you have faith in Jesus. You are obeying his word to be water baptized.
At PromiseLand San Marcos, we practice what is called ‘believers’ baptism. This means that it should be the choice of the person when they believe.
- If you got baptized before without believing in Jesus, then you were just getting wet and enjoying the cool temperatures.
- If you were baptized as a child and have not been baptized after you believed for yourself, then get re-baptized today!
- If you were baptized before and you did it for a spouse or to get married or some other legal reason, but now you trust in salvation through Jesus, then get baptized today.
Rebaptism is scriptural (Acts 19).
Let’s pray right now.
As soon as the prayer is over, we are going to stand up. Gather valuables and walk to the river. We are going to take over the river.
We will gather you into a line. And slowly/safely baptize you. If you are not being baptized, we hope that you will be a supporter. Give them space to gather at the river and everyone else find a spot to pray/sing/support.
Discipleship Through the Kairos Circle
You can listen to this teaching on podcast by clicking here.
Our leadership team first learned of this tool while reading Building a Discipling Culture by Mike Breen. We highly recommend that book for further study. However, the best method is to practice it with other believers.
Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations….
This doesn’t mean go somewhere and then make disciples but means “as you go… Whatever you are doing… Make disciples.”
Discipleship is not something that happens because you went to a class. You don’t graduate from Bible school as a disciple.
Mark 1:14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
The time has come. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Kairos is original Greek word used here– meaning an event, an opportunity – a moment in time when perhaps everything changes because it is the right time.
A Kairos Moment – is when the eternal God breaks into your circumstances with an event. Kairos moments signal opportunities to Grow.
Examples Good/Bad: Weddings, Graduation from School, New Babies, Losing a Job, Loved One Dying, Diagnosis of Disease.
These are the moments that are prime for making disciples. How we deal with these moments will determine how outlook of God and our faith journey.
These moments can draw us into depression, anger, and fear OR they can bring us to a new understanding of God, deepen our faith, and be a catalyst for change.
As a pastor and leader of others, the Questions I have for you are:
- How are You Ministering to People in these crucial moments?
- Do you realize when they are happening?
- Do you have the capacity to pray and walk with people through them?
- How will you DISCIPLE them in these seasons of life?
Remember what Jesus said about these moments: “…the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
I want to show you a way to work with your congregation through Kairos Moments.
We are desiring for our churches to grow in their relationship with God. To Mature. To be Disciples and then Make Disciples. In order for that to happen, there has to be a solid core faith and trust in God. So many, new believers have head knowledge of God, but the gospel has yet to be sown deeply in the heart. That is where TRUST comes in. Trust can only be earned through life’s ups and downs. Walking through these situations and then knowing on the other side that He is always in control.
- Because God is Good, I don’t have to look elsewhere for Satisfaction.
- Because God is Gracious, I don’t have to prove myself to others.
- Because God is Great, I don’t have to be in Control.
- Because God is Glorious, I don’t have to be afraid.
HOW FIRM ARE YOU ON THESE TRUTHS? They directly tie into your stress level. When these truths about God are in our heart and head, then our lives are based on faith and not worry.
These process can work in two settings. Small Groups: 3-10 people or One-on-One. We will work through this with a shape. A circle.
Through this process we are helping people answer and understand 2 Key Questions.
- What is God Saying to me in this season?
- What am I going to do about it?
Basically, those questions come from the last phrase of Mark 1:15 when Jesus said to Repent and Believe.
The first process we want people to go through is
REPENTANCE
Repentance in this Process has 3 Steps
- OBSERVE – simply discussing what is going on. What are the facts of the situation? When someone is going through a big life moment, the first thing you need to do as their mentor and discipler is LISTEN. Ask a lot of questions. Learn where they are coming from. Be slow to speak and quick to listen. RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO FIX PROBLEM. RESIST THE FEAR AND INTIMIDATION.
- REFLECT – We reflect back on our observation. Why did we react the way we did? Why do we feel the way we feel? Why has this event brought on this emotion?
- DISCOVER – In order for repentance to have lasting change, we need others in on this process. We need to discuss our shortcomings with others and reflect back on where we did not trust God.
Take the observations and the reflections and compare them to the truth of God.
How valid are your emotions?
We do not want to rush through repentance. Taking the time to look at all angles, pray, reflect on emotions, and then discuss with a brother or sister in Christ allows God to do a thorough work in our heart. We are forced to bring our shortcomings and lack of Trust to the truth of the Gospel. True repentance happens when the Gospel of Jesus confronts the lies in our heart and head and we humbly submit to Christ.
After we have walked through repentance, Jesus says to:
BELIEVE
Faith is not simply a belief, but it is the substance of that belief. It is a display of that belief. This is where the final three steps take place.
- PLAN – look at when or where these emotions and cravings begin. When are you tempted to feel this way? What is the catalyst to begin this cycle? Learn to recognize where the problem areas are. Through Kairos moments we realize that our core problem is that we have used something or someone in the place of God.
- ACCOUNTABILITY – If we want our plan to succeed, then we need at least one more person holding us accountable. Change doesn’t happen in private. Accountability is not going through a check list. Accountability partners are not there simply to verify that you haven’t sinned lately. They are there to help you look into your heart and go to the depths of your faith and trust in God.
- ACT – Acting is the final and natural step after repentance, planning, and accountability. Acting as a disciple of Christ is following Jesus command of repenting and believing.
Going through this circle is not a one time thing. It will happen for you and the ones you disciple multiple times. Once you get the hang of it, it is possible to work through it on your own, but make sure to always have someone there to confirm or correct where you are drifting.
Galatians Sermon Notes | Week Five
GALATIANS| Week 5
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Jesus!
You can listen to the podcast of this message here.
Galatians chapter 6 shows us how a life in the Spirit brings FREEDOM in 3 Key Areas of our life. When you live life outside of God’s Spirit you may drift in and out of these freedoms randomly, but the Spirit of God brings you the power to LIVE in these freedoms.
Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
The first freedom Paul talks about is the:
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The Freedom to Walk Humbly
other options would be judging and condemning people. OR Ignoring and writing off people. OR Helping people fearfully or jealously.
- Gently and Humbly (with meekness). Our kneejerk reaction is usually “WHY did you do this? This is so easy and you screwed it up!”
- We consider ourselves immune to such a problem.
2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
- Your ego is not your amigo.
- The one who toots his horn the loudest is usually in the deepest fog.
- Love is bighearted not bigheaded.
- You impress others with what you know. You impact others with how you love.
Galatians 6:4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.
Social media has only exacerbated our need and ability to compare ourselves to others. Pauls says, Keep your nose down. Work Hard. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Verses 1-5 talk to us about the FREEDOM TO WALK HUMBLY.
Verses 6-10 teach a whole new FREEDOM
Galatians 6:6 Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Paul teaches us here:
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The Freedom to Give Freely
The New Testament teaches several ways to sow into the Spirit. All of them point to one thing. Giving money away. Not randomly. Not emotionally. Systematically giving a percentage of your money into good soil.
Our local cotton, corn, maize farmers don’t wake up and think I want corn today, I will go throw some seeds out. They don’t randomly throw some here and then some here. They don’t plant some one year and then wait 3-4 years and plant some more. They go out every year and plant seeds. They sow seed. They systematically sow seed into the ground every year and then work hard in participating with the farming of the plant.
ONLY GOD makes the seed grow, but the farmer has to part with seed.
What Paul is teaching PromiseLand this morning in verse 7 – Don’t MOCK God by thinking you can do what you want with your resources and expect to be blessed and taken care of. No, he says, “You will always harvest what you plant.” Systematically, sow money into good soil, which in verse 6 says “The local church”. Where you are fed. When you do this, YOU WILL REAP A HARVEST OF BLESSING IF YOU DON’T GIVE UP.
Those of you that have put your faith in Jesus and are learning to trust him daily, make a decision as a family, we are going to sow seed into God’s kingdom. We are thankful for this local church, we appreciate what we see and feel here. We are going to start giving every month like clockwork. We are going to automate the important.
Make it first. Before anything else can get in and steal it. Sow your seed before you eat it or send it to place where it will be destroyed.
Let’s go back to scripture:
Galatians 6:12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples. 14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
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The Freedom to Love Purely
Not only is our giving and our works important, but also our motives, are important.
Spiritual change is an inside job begun with the new birth and sustained by a new power—the Holy Spirit.
Robin Steele 