Message Guide – The Promise, Week 1 | Everything He Has Is Yours
Key Takeaways
God rewards those who remain without resentment.
Busy seasons, like Christmas, can be both exciting and disappointing, especially for those who feel like they carry more than their share of the burden. And yet, even in the middle of the hustle, the promises of God can carry us through and remind us of all he has in store for us.
In the Bible, Jesus tells three powerful stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. These stories reveal God’s heart around restoring the spiritually lost and celebrating when they are found.
However, as the story continues, Jesus reveals even more about our own hearts. He explains that the responsible older brother becomes resentful of the celebration thrown for his returned brother. He feels it is undeserved, while his own faithfulness has gone uncelebrated.
It can be easy for us to fall into a similar “it’s not fair” attitude, when we compare what others receive with what we feel we deserve. Deep questions we have about our identity and worth, like if we are loved, successful, or secure, can feel challenged or unanswered, allowing resentment to grow in our hearts.
Just like the older brother, it can keep us from taking part in the celebration for others. Jesus, however, wants us to understand that what God does for someone else doesn’t take anything away from us. In fact, he invites us to remember all that God has already provided for us and his promise that we are his dearly loved children.
He sees our faithfulness and hard work, and we are secure in his provision. The same God who runs to meet the lost also patiently reasons with and rewards those who remain.
Pray
Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer inspire your conversations with God this week.
Father, I love you and I am so grateful that I am your dearly loved child. Thank you for your promises that see me through challenging times.
You are the God who runs to meet me when I have been lost and the one who provides for me when I have stayed faithful. I am so grateful to know that through Christ I am loved, I matter, and I am safe.
God, please help me to recognize the resentment in my heart that keeps me from celebrating others. I repent from the “that’s not fair” mindset in my heart. Instead, I chose to fill my mind and heart with reminders of all you have already provided for me.
Holy Spirit please bless all who are considering taking a step of baptism next week. Let them rest in your promise of love and know that we are celebrating their homecoming. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Worship
Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and praise God for his promises.
He has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. – 2 Corinthians 1:22
- That’s My King – Cece Winans
- Mighty Name of Jesus – Hope Darst
- Glory, Honor, Power – Influence Music
Learn
This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.
Read
Watch
- The Prodigal Son (Luke 9-19) – Bible Project
Listen
Reflect
Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.
Pastor Mark explained how we all can end up resentful when one or more of these primary questions about ourselves feels unanswered or ignored: Am I loved? Am I wanted? Am I good enough? Am I successful? Do I have a purpose? Am I safe? Am I secure?
- Which of these questions about your identity feels the loudest in your heart right now, and why?
- How do these questions shape the way you see God, yourself, or the people around you? What thoughts, feelings, or questions surface as you read about the older brother in Luke 15:25-32?
- Have you ever felt like someone else got all the recognition while you worked hard for less? What was your response to those feelings?
- When it comes to following Jesus and serving others is there a “goat” you are expecting to receive? Does what you learned in the message this week reframe that expectation?
- Resentment keeps the older brother from joining, and enjoying, the celebration. Have you ever missed out on celebrating or encouraging someone because of a hidden resentment? Where might resentment in your life actually be a signal that there’s a deeper question about your identity that you need to bring honestly to God?
- What specific steps do you feel God is calling you to take to let go of resentment that is holding you back from living more like Jesus?
Next Steps
This week, examine yourself for a “that’s not fair” attitude, and then respond with gratitude by thanking God for all that he has given you.
