Treasure Hunters Ask Courageous Questions

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Treasure Hunters Ask Courageous Questions

May 5, 2024 • Pastor Kent Landhuis

Treasure Hunters Ask Courageous Questions

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Beware of Greed.

TEXT - Luke 12:13-21

The Parable of Bigger Barns is about you.

1. Do I want to know the truth?

* Matthew 13:10-17

* Philippians 2:3

2. Do I recognize the seductive power of earthly treasure?

* Luke 12:13-21

* Luke 18:18-27

3. Do I build bigger barns?

* Luke 12:32-34

* Luke 12:21

NEXT STEPS

1. Be courageous.

2. Name your barns.

3. Hold earthly treasures lightly.

4. Give away earthly treasure.

GO DEEPER - Rich Toward God

Being rich toward God is valuing what God values over ourselves. It is seeking God’s kingdom first. Consider a few more courageous questions:

* How does God love me and how does God want me to love others?

* How can I build God’s kingdom barns better, and avoid building my barns bigger?

* How can I increase my need for God as my earthly treasures increase?

* What does God want me to do with the possessions I manage for God?

* How can I be wise and avoid being foolish about my wealth?

* How can I know the real peril to my soul that is created by my wealth?

* How does God want me be rich toward God? (What does it mean to be rich toward God?)

* How can I grow to treasure what God treasures?

Meditate on this verse: “Command 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. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In 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” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, inspire and instruct me to be rich toward you. Holy Spirit, prompt me to use my earthly treasures to build your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The True Disciple

June 16, 2024 • Pastor Tim Vink, Gary Sager, Pastor Steve Poole • Luke 14:28–33

Speakers: Kent Landhuis, Tim Vink, Gary Sager and Steve Poole. Scripture: Luke 14:25-33. Theme: Treasure hunters (disciples) must count the cost of following Jesus.

Good Seed, Bad Seed, and Kingdom Treasure

June 23, 2024 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Luke 13:18–19

Good Seed, Bad Seed, and Kingdom Treasure. Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - When good and evil grow side by side - we keep trusting! TEXT - Luke 13:18-19 Three responses to evil in the world: 1. Plant seeds. * Luke 13:18-19 (Matthew 13:31-32) * Matthew 13:1-9, 24-27 * Romans 12:9 2. Leave weeds. * Matthew 13:28-30 * Wisdom * Patience. * Luke 13:24-43 * Romans 12:17-21 3. Trust God. * Matthew 21:28-32 * Matthew 21:33-46 * Ask “need” questions. * Beware “trap” questions. NEXT STEPS 1. Ask God to grow your trust. 2. Keep planting seeds! . GROWING IN TRUST If we trust in God, we will obey. God is King and the King is in charge of the Kingdom—always. Disobedience and trust cannot coexist; if we trust God, we will walk in God’s ways - even when bad things happen to us or around us! Consider the fruit of trusting and obeying: * Trusting God helps us wait on him when he delays or is silent regarding our prayers or the fulfillment of his promises. When God delays, it is for a good reason. God’s actions are founded on wisdom and love. Keep trusting. * Trusting God keeps us from taking matters into our own hands. (As if we know better than God.) When we trust, we surrender our plans and agendas. * Trusting God overcomes fear and anxiety. Fear and anxiety come when we take our eyes off God and start to look at our surroundings and circumstances. (When we focus on the evil around us instead of God’s goodness). * Trusting God leads to contentment. God promises to give good things to his people and God holds nothing back (Rom. 8:32). He tells us to ask him for our daily bread and to seek first his kingdom. God will supply our needs one day at a time according to his will. * Trusting God leads to acting in faith. Knowing who God is, what God has promised, and what God has done grows faith. Faith allows us to keep trusting God in times of temptation, darkness, adversity, and affliction, as well as in times of joy and abundance.

The Treasure of a Merciful Moneylender

June 9, 2024 • Pastor Leah Carolan • Luke 7:36–50

The Treasure of a Merciful Moneylender (Luke 7:36-50) Pastor Leah Carolan 1. Which Subtitle Best Describes the Story * "Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman" * "A Sinful Woman Forgiven" 2. No Ordinary Tears 3. Three Basic Signs of Hospitality Ignored * Washing of the Feet * A Kiss on the Face * Head Anointed with Oil 4. Another Story to make a Point * A Story About Money? * Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate * A link to https://read.gov/aesop/001.html 5. Categories of People * Righteous > Sinner * Clean > Unclean * Worthy > Unworthy * Pure > Impure * Notable > Despicable * Debt = More Debt NEXT STEPS * Confess to trying to look good on the outside but ignoring your heart. * Ask God to search your heart and show you your sin. * Pray, weep, journal – repent. LUKE 7:36-50 ESV 36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”