11 Mar In God We Trust | Part 3 “Blessed For Blessing”
Key Verse: Matthew 14
America is blessed. If a person makes $32K per year, they are in the top one percent of the world’s wealth. If a person makes $4000.00 per year, they are in the bottom 5 and still make 70% more than the rest of the world!
We need perspective on how blessed we are. To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48 ESV)
BIG IDEA: GOD BLESSES HIS PEOPLE IN ORDER TO BLESS THE WORLD.
Israel is still a nation today. They are still blessed. Because God blessed Abraham, we got Jesus. Jesus was a Jew in the line of Abraham. We get to go to heaven because of this promise!
“They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
Eating with Jesus is the most important thing in our life because Jesus loved to eat. He loved to fellowship.
A. JESUS IS A BLESSING.
We are so passionate about church because we know Jesus is the answer. We can get help from others such as professional counseling but only Jesus can satisfy. Jesus is the only option, he alone is our burden bearer.
Q. What things have you tried (or currently trying) to fulfill a void in your life and why did you think that was going to satisfy your need? Have you ever thought of Jesus not being your only option to bear your burdens?
Herod was coming to get Jesus and Jesus knows this is bad. His time had not come yet so he goes away to be by Himself but he could not stop the people from coming after him.
B. JESUS IS NEVER ANNOYED.
Jesus had compassion on them, He feels for them. Jesus heals our hurts. It is so easy for us to get annoyed by people, however, we were also outsiders. We were once enemies with God, but He loved us anyway. He did not give up on us.
Q. Have you ever given up on someone who has annoyed you (or have you been given up on) and why? Did you see this person as Jesus did and why was that difficult for you?
C. JESUS IS READY AND WILLING TO HELP PEOPLE NO MATTER THE COST.
Matthew 14:14b ESV
The last thing Jesus needs at this point in publicity, but even fear and threats don’t stop Him from loving these people.
Q. Caring for others can be difficult. What is a situation where you have cared for someone where it has cost you a great deal and how? Were you willing to help and care for them no matter the cost (maybe staying up late with a disappointed friend or letting your schedule get interrupted)?
Too many people want to be around Jesus and the disciples see this as a problem. It is Jesus’s fault; He keeps healing people.
However, this is a good problem, people are getting healed!
Waters Church has problems too! Our growth record is 30% per year. We have parking problems, capacity in Jr. Elevate is a problem. We need permanent facilities in Milford and Woonsocket. These are good problems! We need to be part of the solutions! Jesus is healing people here, this is a good thing!
1: JESUS CONSIDERS HIS DISCIPLES THE ANSWER TO PEOPLE’S NEEDS.
Jesus tells the disciples to give them something to eat. Jesus asks us to do exceedingly and abundantly. Discipleship is making dead people alive. We are to preach to an audience that our pastor would not be able to, people who have a plan and call on theirs lives by our Almighty God.
Q. How have you been an answer to someones need (this could be monetary, come to their aid, discipleship etc.). How are you preaching to an audience that our pastor is not able to?
2: JESUS PARTNERS WITH HIS DISCIPLES IN MEETING PEOPLE’S NEEDS.
We are the answer, God can use us. Every amount and gift counts.
We bring not give. We cannot bring give what is not ours.
Q. Can you share a testimony regarding the 90 day challenge where you brought your first fruits?
3: JESUS BLESSED AND MULTIPLIED WHAT HIS DISCIPLES GAVE.
Jesus takes the bread, blesses the bread, breaks the bread, gives the bread and multiplies the bread. In order for Jesus to take us, bless us, break us, give us and multiply us we need to surrender control to Him.
Q. What are you not giving up control of? What have you given up control of where you were taken, blessed, broken, given and multiplied? (Example: Joseph was taken from his family (sold to slavery), he was broken (slave, prison), remained faithful and was blessed by God, given back to his people and multiplied (no more famine because of him).
Jesus was taken, blessed by the Father, broken on the cross, given to us and is multiplied in our lives!
4: JESS BLESSED HIS GIVING DISCIPLES ABUNDANTLY.
They did not lose anything. Our Father sees it, opens the door and gives it back.
Let’s partner with Jesus and be Kingdom Builders.
Where our giving is going:
*Doubling our Jr. Elevate – $68k
*Illuminated WatersChurch.org sign on Rt. 95 – $24k
*Expand North Attleboro parking lot – Total $200k (Raised last year – $42,841.18; Spent for planning – $23,090.00; Remaining – $19,751.18)
*Permanent locations for the campuses of Milford, Ma. & Woonsocket, RI
*Pay off debt
*Future 3rd Campus
Pray for each other, the lost, campuses, nation and leaders.
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