Today’s Message: ‘The Uneccessary Weight of Stuff’
Sunday, December 1, 2019
In a crowded busy holiday season it’s common for people to be weighed down. By family, relationships, finances, regret and failure; just to name a few. This series will help you see the weight in things that God never asked you to carry. His solution is simple: Let go of the baggage and travel light.
‘TIS THE SEASON
God is not threatened by any of the peripheral issues or silly traditions that we put around the holidays, BUT perhaps there’s room for offense on His part when we make these types of things (or anything else) a bigger part of the season than what this holiday is intended for - TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.
Ecclesiastes 4:6
‘Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil (and chasing after the wind.’
It’s better to have less of what doesn’t matter and more of what does.
Unfortunately everything in culture screams the opposite.
THE FIRST LIE
Should we really be shocked that our enemy went immediately to the idea of our sense of lacking or being left out or feeling incomplete to distract us and destroy us?
Luke 12:15
‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’
ASK YOURSELF
What am I accomplishing through my accumulation?
THREE WAYS TO ‘ONE HANDFUL LIVING’
1 - THROW OUT
Owning less is better than organizing more.
Two Reasons We Hold Onto Things:
FEAR & SENTIMENT
2- BUY LESS
Psalms 119-36-37
‘Cause my heart to bow before your words of wisdom and not to the wealth of this world. Help me turn my eyes away from illusions so that I pursue only that which is true.’
A WAY TO REFOCUS YOUR CHRISTMAS LIST
Ask your kids and family to give you ideas for something they WANT - something they NEED - something to WEAR - something to READ.
3- GIVE MORE
1 Timothy 6:17-19
’17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.’
WITH ‘ONE HANDFUL LIVING’…
When someone is down - you can help them back up.
When someone is in need - you can give.
You can encourage with a pat on the back.
You’re free to give them a hug.
You can PRAISE GOD because you’re not weighed down but stuff that could hold you back.
Closing thought…
REFLECT & RELEASE
It’s our hope and prayer that you and your family are able to experience a ‘light Christmas’ this year. Take time to reflect on where you’re at with Him, allow Him to speak to you and then to release that which is holding you down to Him.
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