Honoring God With Our Time | Craig Curtis
Be Generous Sunday | November 30th
Generosity
Luke 8:40-48 NIV
40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
3 Choices to Honor God with our Time
1. Choose to see needs, and meet them.
77% of young adults answered "yes" when asked, " When nothing is occupying my attention, the first thing I do is reach for my phone." - Microsoft
Luke 8:42b NIV
42 ...As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
The days are long, but the years are short.
The more in demand and famous Jesus became, the more He withdrew to His quiet place to pray.
Ephesians 5:15-16 NIV
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
= redeeming the time / making the most of every chance you get
3 Choices to Honor God with our Time
2. Choose people over plans.
Attention is our most scarce resource.
Love cares more about who's hurting than who's watching.
Fight for Attention:
- Create a no-phone zone.
- Model not sleeping with your phone.
- Turn on screen time limits.
- Make it a contest.
3 Choices to Honor God with our Time
3. Choose love over hurry.
Matthew 22:37-39 NIV
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
How do you spell "love?"
T.I.M.E.
Quit something.
"For many of us, the biggest danger we face isn't that we would renounce our faith; it is that we will become so distracted and rushed and preoccupied that we will settle for a watered down version of it." - John Mark Comer
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
"I get to be here for this."
Be present and grateful to be the one at games, in car line, looking for folders, and counting new freckles.
1. Choose to see needs, and meet them.
2. Choose people over plans.
3. Choose love over hurry.