Saturday, October 12, 2024
Speaker: Ben Snyder, Lead Pastor
Title: Avoiding Diderot’s Disappointment
Memory Verse: John 16:33 (NLT) "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Disappointment: The gap between what you wanted and what you got.
You can LANGUISH or LEARN through disappointment.
Key passage: Mark 10:17-27 (NLT) As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’" “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, 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!”
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
(See also Luke 18:18-29; Matthew 19:16-30)
Additional Passages: Ecclesiastes 5:10-11; Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 6:33; James 1:17
Bottom Line: Do you possess IT, or does IT possess you?
1. Remember WHY you give. (Matthew 6:21)
2. Define what is ENOUGH. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
3. SAVOR what is GOOD. (James 1:17)
Jesus invites us to surrender our fear of disappointment now, for an eternity of delight with him.
John 6:35 (NLT) “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
John 8:12 (NLT) “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 11:25 (NLT) “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."
John 14:6 (NLT) “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."
If we really believe that Jesus is who he says he is, is there ANYTHING that this world has to offer that can provide more than him?
Next Steps:
Give: Is Jesus inviting you to trust him financially through giving?
Define what is ENOUGH.
Savor: Daily Gratitude
References:
READ THIS: The Diderot Effect, James Clear
John Ortberg on Frugality, "The Secret to the Easy Yoke"
What do Americans define as rich?
Song Links:
Make Room - YouTube // Spotify
The Lord Will Provide - YouTube // Spotify
Praise - YouTube // Spotify
Discussion Questions:
Icebreaker: Share a time you bought something, but were disappointed when you got it.
What things do people tend to hold on tightly to, thinking it will give life meaning?
Read Mark 10:17-23. What do you learn about disappointment? What do you learn about Jesus?
What are you holding on tightest to? Can it provide the satisfaction you are truly desiring?
What is one thing you can do to place Jesus at the center of your life?