Opening: What is one lesson about money you can recall learning from your
parents?
Scripture: Sunday’s message comes from today’s text. Read Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:6-9, and Luke 9:23-24.
Connect
the Text with Your Life:
- How have you benefited from the self-denial and generosity of others? What have you reaped by being generous to others? How can God’s promise in 2 Corinthians 9:8 enable you to be more generous?
- Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”[1] What does this mean? Remember that Peter denied his Lord; that is to say, he said of Jesus, “I do not know the man.” To deny ourselves is to say, “I do not know myself.” It is to ignore the very existence of oneself. It is to treat the self as if it did not exist. Usually we treat ourselves as if our self was far and away the most important thing in the world. If we are to follow Jesus, we must forget that self exists.[2]
Prayer
Focus: For tomorrow’s worship celebration, that we would
trying desire to be Jesus’ disciples in all facets of our lives, including our
finances.
Message
Series: “A Living Sacrifice”
Tomorrow’s
Message Title: “Self-Denial”
