Strapped: Soulish Generosity: John 12:1-12

 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)

1. Soulish Generosity Is Not Logical

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus

had raised from the dead.  Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while

Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of

pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples,

Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and

the money given to the poor?” It was worth a year’s wages.
John 12:3-5 (NIV)

2. Soulish Generosity Is Motivated By A Great Opportunity

Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:7-8 (NIV)

3. Soulish Generosity Requires Significant Sacrifice

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
John 12:4-8 (NIV)

David said, “I will not give to the Lord that which costs me nothing.”
2 Samuel 24:24

Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”
Mark 14:6-9 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/strapped-soulish-generosity-john-121-12/

Strapped: Genesis 14:17-24; Hebrews 7:1-10

 

Tithing…

1. Honors Jesus

Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High.  He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:18-21 (CSB)

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
Hebrews 7:1-3 (CSB)

2. Keeps Me Grounded

He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you. And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:19-20 (CSV)

The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.
Psalm 24:1 (CSB)

…for every animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
Psalm 50:10 (CSB)

“The silver and gold belong to me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
Haggai 2:8 (CSB)

3. Prepares Me For God’s Blessings

After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.
Genesis 15:1 (CSB)

“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me!”“How do we rob you?” you ask.“By not making the payments of the tenth and the contributions. You are suffering under a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing me. Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.
Malachi 3:8-10 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/strapped-genesis-1417-24-hebrews-71-10/

Triggers: Spirit Triggers: Romans 8:11; Galatians 5:25

 

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
Romans 8:11 (NLT)

1. I AM BORN BY THE SPIRIT

Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 (CSB)

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)

2. I AM FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:30-32 (NIV)

3. I WALK IN THE SPIRIT

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16 (NASB)

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-spirit-triggers-romans-811-galatians-525/

Triggers: Prayer Triggers: Psalm 17:1-15

 

1. Search Me

Lord, hear a just cause; pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer—from lips free of deceit. Let my vindication come from you, for you see what is right. You have tested my heart; you have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will not sin. Concerning what people do: by the words from your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.  My steps are on your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Psalm 17:1-5 (CSB)

2. Hear Me

I call on you, God, because you will answer me; listen closely to me; hear what I say. Display the wonders of your faithful love, Savior of all who seek refuge from those who rebel against your right hand.
Psalm 17:6-7 (CSB)

3. Protect Me

Protect me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who treat me violently, my deadly enemies who surround me. They are uncaring; their mouths speak arrogantly. They advance against me; now they surround me. They are determined to throw me to the ground. They are like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush. Rise up, Lord! Confront him; bring him down. With your sword, save me from the wicked. With your hand, Lord, save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what you have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children.
Psalm 17:8-14 (CSB)

4. Satisfy Me

But I will see your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with your presence.
Psalm 17:15 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-prayer-triggers-psalm-171-15/

Triggers: Stress Triggers: Psalm 91:1-16

 

1. RUN TO GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.
Psalm 91:1-2 (CSB)

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
Matthew 23:37 (CSB)

He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield.
Psalm 91:4 (CSB)

2. WHEN I RUN TO GOD IN TIMES OF TROUBLE I EXPERIENCE HIS PEACE.

You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon.  Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord-my refuge, the Most High-your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent.  For He will give His angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways.  They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.  You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent.
Psalm 91:5-13 (CSB)

3. WHEN I EXPERIENCE HIS PEACE I DISCOVER HIS POWER AND ABUNDANCE.

Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble.  I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him my salvation.
Psalm 91:14-16 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-stress-triggers-psalm-911-16/

Triggers: People Triggers: 2 Timothy 2:23-26

 

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.  Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NLT)

1. AVOID THEM

Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.
2 Timothy 2:23 (NLT)

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 (CSB)

2. BLESS THEM

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
2 Timothy 2:24 (NLT)

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
Ephesians 4:32 (CSB)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18 (NIV)

“I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time…”
Matthew 5:44 (Message)

3. TEACH THEM

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.
2 Timothy 2:24 (CSB)

But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (CSB)

Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.  Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
2 Timothy 2:23-26 (NLT)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-people-triggers-2-timothy-223-26/

Triggers: How To Overcome Money Triggers: Matthew 6:19-24

 

HOW TO OVERCOME MONEY TRIGGERS?

1. Heart Check—Where is your treasure?

“Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.  But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 (HCSB)

2. Eye Exam—What is your focus?

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.

 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness—how deep is that darkness!
Matthew 6:22-23 (HCSB)

You do not have because you do not ask.
James 4:2 (CSB)

Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
Matthew 6:26 (CSB)

I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Psalm 81:10 (CSB)

And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:19 (CSB)

3. Will Assessment—Who is your master?

“No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.
Matthew 6:24 (HCSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/triggers-how-to-overcome-money-triggers-matthew-619-24/