Christ UMC
Legacy 2:10 Week 6
Locations & Times
Christ Church Fairgrove Campus
2416 Zion Church Rd, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Saturday 5:00 PM
Top ten things people want more of”from survey taken March 30, 2017
#1: Happiness
Biggest challenge: “Not knowing what I want to do.”
#2: Money
Biggest challenge: “Not having enough money or time to accomplish the things I want to do.”
#3: Freedom
Biggest challenge: “Having the freedom to find my ‘true purpose’ or being lit up by the day-to-day at work.”
#4: Peace
Biggest challenge: “Lack of clarity about who I am and my purpose.”
#5: Joy
Biggest challenge: “How to find the right role or position for me now that will bring joy in my work.”
#6: Balance
Biggest challenge: “Balancing my need/desire for flexibility while making enough money and having the benefits I want.”
#7: Fulfillment
Biggest challenge: “Utilizing my potential in the best possible way, for myself and for others.”
#8: Confidence
Biggest challenge: “Feeling like I have something to offer now, rather than feeling constantly as if I’m not ready and need more training.”
#9: Stability
Biggest challenge: “Figuring out what to do next, to keep me afloat and be a bridge to my later years and retirement.”
#10: Passion
Biggest challenge: “Overcoming feelings of ineptitude and negativity because of career setbacks.” (Huffpost; March 30, 2017)
#1: Happiness
Biggest challenge: “Not knowing what I want to do.”
#2: Money
Biggest challenge: “Not having enough money or time to accomplish the things I want to do.”
#3: Freedom
Biggest challenge: “Having the freedom to find my ‘true purpose’ or being lit up by the day-to-day at work.”
#4: Peace
Biggest challenge: “Lack of clarity about who I am and my purpose.”
#5: Joy
Biggest challenge: “How to find the right role or position for me now that will bring joy in my work.”
#6: Balance
Biggest challenge: “Balancing my need/desire for flexibility while making enough money and having the benefits I want.”
#7: Fulfillment
Biggest challenge: “Utilizing my potential in the best possible way, for myself and for others.”
#8: Confidence
Biggest challenge: “Feeling like I have something to offer now, rather than feeling constantly as if I’m not ready and need more training.”
#9: Stability
Biggest challenge: “Figuring out what to do next, to keep me afloat and be a bridge to my later years and retirement.”
#10: Passion
Biggest challenge: “Overcoming feelings of ineptitude and negativity because of career setbacks.” (Huffpost; March 30, 2017)
Plain Truth: Godliness is contentment in the world, but discontentment until the world knows Christ.
Wrestle with These 4 Things
1. Cravings
1. Cravings
2. Contentment
3. Compassion
4. Conviction
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From childhood to adolescence, from teenage years to adulthood, it seems we are always craving more of something. I think, “There has to be something out there that will bring me fulfillment and finally satisfy the longing of my heart.” And so, we spend years wanting more – more of something, you fill in the blank. But here’s the question, is more ever enough? When basic needs are met we still want more. While more is not always a bad thing – for example, more time with the Lord or those you love – being driven for more of this world can ensnare us.
The apostle Paul warns Timothy about people who will do anything to be wealthy, even pretend to be godly: “These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth… people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrow” (1 Timothy 6:5, 9-10).
Read 1 Timothy 6:6-16
Scarcity, a need for security, and a fixation on success can drive us to want more. Many factors play into a scarcity-mindset—being raised in poverty or where scarcity is focused on over contentment, family dynamics, birth order, the physical and emotional health of parents, levels of trust and devotion, frequent moves—all these can factor into an individual’s sense of security.
Another area of subtle entanglement is an insatiable desire for success. It’s good to be your best and work on strengthening your abilities and talents in order to advance your career or calling. The danger comes when pride takes over and we begin to constantly compare ourselves with others. For example, when I am not satisfied being the best I can be on the job, but my drive comes from being better than the person across from me.
1. True security and satisfaction comes from knowing the Lord who made me and loves me. Consider your history, family dynamics, and certain ‘cravings’ you grew up with. Do you find it easy or difficult to understand God’s extravagant love and grace?
How you see and receive God’s grace – the Lord’s unmerited favor and love toward you personally—most likely stems from the environment you grew up with. Your parents may have drilled into your head that success means making lots of money. Paul says: “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Once we understand that our worth and value come from Christ, we can begin to focus our energies on what really matters.
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19
2. Paul says: “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment” (v17). How should we use our money and what results can we expect, according to Paul in vv18-19?
Jesus says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36-37) Soul satisfaction comes when we give love away to others. The Lord wants us to share His love not hoard it. In what ways are you experiencing true fulfillment through love and service to others?
When it comes to loving and serving others in the name of Christ, we don’t have to live with a scarcity mindset. There is plenty more when it comes to sharing God’s blessings, tender mercies, and compassions. When the Lord is your shepherd you will have all that you need (see Psalm 23:1). You can count on it! God is not bankrupt and Heaven is not in a recession: “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
3. While the Lord has a unique and individualized purpose for each of us, His over-arching mission together as followers-of-Christ is to finish His work and build up His church. How is LEGACY 2:10 making an impact on your attitude regarding worldly wealth versus treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)?
Jesus said, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:16-17). The fruit is “people brought to eternal life” (see John 4:36). Are you bearing fruit? Are you willing to partner with other like-minded Christ followers to help bring in a harvest for the Lord Jesus?
4. On a scale of 1 – 10 (1 being ‘I don’t care at all’ and 10 being ‘I can’t sleep at night because so many people don’t yet know God’) how do you rate when it comes to a Holy Discontent – not satisfied until others know Christ?
Spend some time in honest reflection. Ask yourself: What do my actions say about where my heart is? Where do I spend most of my time and energies? Is my over-arching mission about the Great Commission? Now talk to the Lord about the state of your heart. Ask Him to help re-prioritize and redefine your definition of ‘wealth’ – to show you anew that “true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” Spend a few moments in prayer.
The mission of Christ Church should not all be on one set of shoulders but we all do have work to do together. As Pastor Charles and our Teaching Team have said multiple times, LEGACY 2:10 is not about equal gifts but equal sacrifice. As we each bring our sacrificial offering, like the loaves and fish, Jesus can (and will!) multiply beyond measure in order to feed thousands upon thousands with true Bread.
If you haven’t yet submitted your LEGACY 2:10 Commitment Card, it’s not too late. You can either bring your card to any one of the weekend services, mail to Christ Church (2416 Zion Church Rd. Hickory, NC 28602), or give online at christnc.com.
From childhood to adolescence, from teenage years to adulthood, it seems we are always craving more of something. I think, “There has to be something out there that will bring me fulfillment and finally satisfy the longing of my heart.” And so, we spend years wanting more – more of something, you fill in the blank. But here’s the question, is more ever enough? When basic needs are met we still want more. While more is not always a bad thing – for example, more time with the Lord or those you love – being driven for more of this world can ensnare us.
The apostle Paul warns Timothy about people who will do anything to be wealthy, even pretend to be godly: “These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth… people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrow” (1 Timothy 6:5, 9-10).
Read 1 Timothy 6:6-16
Scarcity, a need for security, and a fixation on success can drive us to want more. Many factors play into a scarcity-mindset—being raised in poverty or where scarcity is focused on over contentment, family dynamics, birth order, the physical and emotional health of parents, levels of trust and devotion, frequent moves—all these can factor into an individual’s sense of security.
Another area of subtle entanglement is an insatiable desire for success. It’s good to be your best and work on strengthening your abilities and talents in order to advance your career or calling. The danger comes when pride takes over and we begin to constantly compare ourselves with others. For example, when I am not satisfied being the best I can be on the job, but my drive comes from being better than the person across from me.
1. True security and satisfaction comes from knowing the Lord who made me and loves me. Consider your history, family dynamics, and certain ‘cravings’ you grew up with. Do you find it easy or difficult to understand God’s extravagant love and grace?
How you see and receive God’s grace – the Lord’s unmerited favor and love toward you personally—most likely stems from the environment you grew up with. Your parents may have drilled into your head that success means making lots of money. Paul says: “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8). Once we understand that our worth and value come from Christ, we can begin to focus our energies on what really matters.
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19
2. Paul says: “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment” (v17). How should we use our money and what results can we expect, according to Paul in vv18-19?
Jesus says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36-37) Soul satisfaction comes when we give love away to others. The Lord wants us to share His love not hoard it. In what ways are you experiencing true fulfillment through love and service to others?
When it comes to loving and serving others in the name of Christ, we don’t have to live with a scarcity mindset. There is plenty more when it comes to sharing God’s blessings, tender mercies, and compassions. When the Lord is your shepherd you will have all that you need (see Psalm 23:1). You can count on it! God is not bankrupt and Heaven is not in a recession: “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17).
3. While the Lord has a unique and individualized purpose for each of us, His over-arching mission together as followers-of-Christ is to finish His work and build up His church. How is LEGACY 2:10 making an impact on your attitude regarding worldly wealth versus treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21)?
Jesus said, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:16-17). The fruit is “people brought to eternal life” (see John 4:36). Are you bearing fruit? Are you willing to partner with other like-minded Christ followers to help bring in a harvest for the Lord Jesus?
4. On a scale of 1 – 10 (1 being ‘I don’t care at all’ and 10 being ‘I can’t sleep at night because so many people don’t yet know God’) how do you rate when it comes to a Holy Discontent – not satisfied until others know Christ?
Spend some time in honest reflection. Ask yourself: What do my actions say about where my heart is? Where do I spend most of my time and energies? Is my over-arching mission about the Great Commission? Now talk to the Lord about the state of your heart. Ask Him to help re-prioritize and redefine your definition of ‘wealth’ – to show you anew that “true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.” Spend a few moments in prayer.
The mission of Christ Church should not all be on one set of shoulders but we all do have work to do together. As Pastor Charles and our Teaching Team have said multiple times, LEGACY 2:10 is not about equal gifts but equal sacrifice. As we each bring our sacrificial offering, like the loaves and fish, Jesus can (and will!) multiply beyond measure in order to feed thousands upon thousands with true Bread.
If you haven’t yet submitted your LEGACY 2:10 Commitment Card, it’s not too late. You can either bring your card to any one of the weekend services, mail to Christ Church (2416 Zion Church Rd. Hickory, NC 28602), or give online at christnc.com.