23 Nov “Generational Influence” | Part Three – “Don’t Be a Pharisee” – All Locations
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
SAVE THE DATE: JANUARY 26 FOR A LIFE GROUP LEADER MEETING INCLUDING YOU AND ANY APPRENTICES YOU MAY HAVE.
REGISTRATION WILL BE OUT BEGINNING OF JANUARY! PLEASE MAKE EVERY EFFOR TO ATTEND.
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NEW ENGLAND:
LADIES’ TEA – REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN. PLEASE GO TO WATERSCHURCH.ORG/EVENTS AND SELECT YOUR LOCATION.
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WATERS ACADEMY FUNDRAISER: PIES AND WREATHS!
REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 26. PICK UP ON DECEMBER 7.
WATERS ACADEMY CHRISTMAS PIES AND WREATHS
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ALL LOCATIONS
Thank you to all who donated and or served during Operation Thanksgiving! Over 900 families were blessed with a Thanksgiving meal this year!
The Life Group Leader Training has been changed to December 15. Please let your apprentices know that they have signed up. The registration is full, so I will be adding another one in January.
WATERS UNIVERSITY:
We’re looking to grow healthy Christians at Waters Church…spiritually, physically, mentally, financially, and relationally — that is the mission of Waters University.
As the Fall classes wind down, we’re looking forward to an early January 2026 start for Financial Peace University at the North Attleboro and Apollo Beach campuses. Go to https://watersu.org/ or click the link below now for more information on classes and to register.
Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- Growth Track – Check the schedule and register on the events page.
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after every service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care, or have a group member who does? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)
PLEASE CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATIONS AND OR YOUR PLANNING CENTER PROFILES FOR NEW MEMBER REQUESTS.
NOTE:
Two opportunities to pray:
Leaders only: Please be available at the end of services to pray for those who come forward. If you are not actively serving during the service you are attending, make it a priority to head to the front when the invitation is given. Your presence matters!
North Attleboro Leaders and members: If you are available, or any member of your group who currently serves is available, there is an opportunity to meet for prayer in the conference room off of the break room area during the second and third services. Please see Doug and Joanie White or Felix Shyllon if you would like to be a part of that ministry.
Please note: if you have a member who is not currently serving and would like to be part of the prayer during the service team, please have them take the appropriate steps to become a serve team member.
NORTH ATTLEBORO
Prayer at the Altar – AFTER SERVICES
If possible, please make an effort to be at the altar after this service to pray for others.
Your presence makes a difference—thank you for serving!
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**Please read all scripture in the ESV, unless otherwise noted.**
Key Verse: Luke 16
Icebreaker Question
What is something you once thought you owned for good, only to realize later it was temporary?
Opening Prayer
Father, open our hearts. Show us where pride, comparison, or self-righteousness may be hiding. Help us see Your grace clearly and extend it freely. Lead us into truth and transform us by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Am I a PHARISEE?
Luke 15:1–2 ESV
How to be a PHARISEE:
- GRUMBLE when JESUS connects with SINNERS.
In Luke, Jesus is connecting with sinners who need Him, and the Pharisees are mad about it. They judge Jesus for loving sinners.
Q. When have you caught yourself surprised—or even bothered—by God extending grace to someone you think doesn’t deserve it?
Practical Application:
Identify one person in your life who is far from God and pray specifically for their blessing and salvation this week, rather than judging or distancing yourself from them.
2. FORGET that I am a SINNER.
Luke 15:6–10 ESV; Luke 15:23-24 ESV
Luke 15:29-30 ESV
The Pharisees get upset when God welcomes sinners.
Pharisees OBSESS over what God gives OTHERS and IGNORE what God gives THEM.
Luke 16:1- 2 ESV
The rich man is God, and the manager is us.
Q. What helps you remember your own need for grace, and what causes you to forget it?
Three quick points about money:
- All I OWN is actually on LOAN.
There will come a day when everything you have will be taken from you.
Luke 16:3-9 ESV
The man in Luke 16 might be a scoundrel, but verse 9 sums it up: The manager knew he could not keep what he presently had, but he could use it to set himself up for where he was going.
Q. How does viewing your resources as “on loan” from God change the way you feel about what you have?
Practical Application:
Choose one resource—time, money, a talent—and intentionally use it for God’s purposes this week, not your own comfort.
2. USE money to LOVE people, don’t USE people to LOVE money.
People are eternal, only people get into heaven, and Jesus died for people.
If that is God’s value system, it should be your value system as well.
Who am I LOVING by USING God’s MONEY?
Q. Who in your life right now could experience God’s love through your generosity?
Practical Application:
Give something this week—money, a meal, a gift, or an act of service—to someone who cannot repay you.
3. The BEST way to LOVE people is to use what God GIVES you to BRING them to JESUS.
Luke 16:11 ESV
Unrighteous wealth is worldly wealth. The world and everything in it is fallen and apart from God’s saving activity.
People are the true riches.
Only people are righteous.
Faithfulness in money is: tithing, being generous, and helping those who are poor and disadvantaged with the means God has entrusted to us.
You should use your money to bring people into heaven.
Money is the TEST; PEOPLE are the TREASURE.
There will be a lot of murderers, thieves, and disreputable people in heaven, but there won’t be one single self-righteous person.
Luke 16:14 ESV
Q. What has God placed in your hands that could help lead someone closer to Jesus?
Practical Application:
Invite someone to church or intentionally share your faith story with them this week.
How to be a PHARISEE:
3. LOVE and DEFINE yourself by what you THINK you OWN.
Luke 16:15 ESV
The Pharisees loved money.
Q.What are some things people often allow to define them, and where do you see hints of that in your own life?
Practical Application:
Fast from something that competes for your identity—social media, buying something unnecessary, or chasing affirmation—and focus on who God says you are.
Sermon in a Sentence:
MONEY could make me a PHARISEE — God wants it to make me a MISSIONARY.
Key Takeaways
1. A Pharisee’s heart grumbles at: ___________________.
2. Money reveals our heart—it tests whether we love: _______.
3. God wants to use what He gives us to bring others to Jesus, not to build our ________.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your grace that rescues us from pride, comparison, and self-righteousness. Help us see our own need for mercy and celebrate Your mercy for others. Teach us to view everything we have as Yours and to use it to love people and lead them to Jesus. Make us missionaries, not Pharisees. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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