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Counterfeit 02: Be Rich

When it comes to money, most people experience plenty of anxiety and fear. Jesus taught people how to be rich and have more financial peace.

Luke 12:15 And (Jesus) said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness,

Luke 12:15 for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Matthew 19:24 “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

It’s not that God doesn’t want us to have nice stuff.  God doesn’t want nice stuff to have us.

We are vulnerable to being possessed by our possessions. 

Luke 12:16-19 “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and dry goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink be merry.”’

Luke 12:20  But God said to him, ‘Fool!  This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?”’

Luke 12:21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

“I will not trust in riches but in Him who richly provides.” -Andy Stanley

Heavenly Father, You are the giver of all that is good.  You richly provide everything for our enjoyment.  Sometimes we are greedy.  Help us to be on guard against covetousness.  We want to be thankful for every perfect gift that comes down from You.  Lead us not to be possessed by possessions.  Help us not to live in anxiety and fear but to have the peace of trusting You to provide all that we need.  Make us into people who are rich toward God.  In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

 

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Counterfeit 01: Deceit

In 1865, between 1/3 and 1/2 of the currency circulating in the nation was counterfeit. These days we still have a problem of counterfeit deception, and this message gives insight into how to recognize it.

Mark 4:14 The sower sows the Word.

Mark 4:18-19    And others are the ones sown among thorns.  They are those who hear the Word, but the the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter and choke the Word, and it proves unfruitful.

Proverbs 18:11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income.

1 Timothy 6:17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, charge them…not to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

“I will not trust in riches but in Him who richly provides.” -Andy Stanley

“Contentment isn’t getting what you want.  It’s appreciating what you have!” -Mark Batterson

 

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The Next Level 3: Was That OK?

Odds are that in some way, you want to improve. This series looks at principles in Scripture that can help us get to the next level of spiritual growth.

2 Peter 1:3-5 ESV

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

2 Peter 1:5 and virtue with knowledge,

2 Peter 1:5 and virtue with knowledge,

Proverbs 16:32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than who takes a city.

Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

2 Peter 1:6 and self-control with steadfastness,

2 Peter 1:7 and godliness with brotherly affection,

2 Peter 1:7 and brotherly affection with love.

2 Peter 1:8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

Colossians 1:28 Him (Christ) we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

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The Next Level 2: Not Feeling It

Odds are that in some way, you want to improve. This series looks at principles in Scripture that can help us get to the next level of personal growth.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Matthew 7:13-14 For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

“Failure is the path of least persistence.” -Zig Ziglar

Hebrews 12:7 It is for discipline that you have to endure.  God is treating you as sons.  For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

“Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.”
-John Maxwell

“What we do on some great occasion will depend on what we are; and what we are will be the previous years of self-discipline.”  – H.P. Liddon

Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

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The Next Level 1: Good Intentions

Odds are that in some way, you want to improve. This series has been designed to look at principles in Scripture that can help us get to the next level of personal growth.

Matthew 6:31-32:  (ESV) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ESV

NEVER
In the history of calming down has anyone ever calmed down by being told to calm down.

Matthew 6:33-34: (ESV) 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

2 Corinthians 6:2: (ESV)2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you,and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

We get to the next level not with good intentions but with being intentional now.

Disciple (Mathetes)- “Learner”.
Root word- “the mental effort needed to think something through.”
Mission- To make disciples who make disciples.
Prayer- “Holy Spirit, use me today to help someone grow spiritually.”

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