Overcoming too much

Intro

Celebrating new service times

Growth in 2023 already…

WTZ is up 28% over last year, almost 500 people a weekend

STC is up 16% and averaging over 200

We really want to provide the best experience and we wrestled as an XT with coaches and consultants,

Fireside is a great venue for a later service until we outgrow it

Pastor update

Pastor had a simple outpatient procedure, nothing due to a health issue, but that recovery is taking longer than expected. So you sent me your outline and you’ll be back next week

what’s my hook here?

Overwhelmed by too much part 2

Stress is a symptom, not the root problem. It's a symptom that often tells you that you are doing the wrong things and neglecting the right ones.

We looked at guilt, problems, and Part 1 of too much. Leo did great job on importance of Sabbath rhythm of rest. Today Part 2 of too much. So, you take weekly rest and renewal but jump right back into overwhelmed lifestyle. It’s a cycle. I want to help with the too much.

Matthew 11:25–30 NLT

25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way! 27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

If we continually overwhelmed where did it come from. It is indicator we are doing/carrying things Jesus never told us to carry. There is a time God allows the “gift of too much” I address that in my book overcoming overwhelmed. But that is not why most are overwhelmed.

Come to Jesus

Matt 11:27-28 “27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father...28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

The Gospel according to Matthew 3. Jesus’ Invitation, 11:25–30

Come to me carries on with the thought that it is Jesus only who has access to the Father and to the resources of the Father. It is because he is the only one who knows the Father and because only those to whom he reveals the Father will have knowledge of him that it is so important to give heed to his invitation

Who determines your schedule? Who determines your life priorities? Kids? Career? Spouse? Friends? Money? If we are overwhelmed, it was because someone other than Jesus set our life priorities. We have no problem coming to Jesus with problems but we create many of them because we didn’t come to Jesus with our priorities.

One of first things God did when Israel left Egypt (picture of salvation) was change their calendar. He change what they prioritized.

Now if you want to live the rest of your life overwhelmed Jesus will let you. You won’t go to hell. Now you most likely will get to heaven faster. Someone else might go to hell because we were to overwhelmed doing unimportant things to be used for eternal things. God let the children of Israel wander in the wilderness and die (except 2) short of the promise land. He will let you wander and die in a wilderness of overwhelmed if you want.

In my life I have struggled to let Jesus determine my life priorities because I was afraid he wouldn’t give me what I wanted and I would miss out of good things? I get it. Now, first let me ask how long have you been in charge of your life priorities? 30, 40, 50 years? How’s that going for you? Are you doing a better job than Jesus? Why not let Jesus have a try at managing your life? Why not? Fear.

Psalms 73:1 NKJV “Truly God is good to Israel…”

Heb 11:6 NKJV “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek

Him.”

God is good to those who let him govern their lives. He is looking to reward you.

Let Jesus Take Off What Doesn’t Matter

Matt 11:29 “29 Take my yoke upon you...”

In order to pick up Jesus Yoke, we must first put the one we are carrying down.

Deut. 32:29 NKJV “Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”

I have been by many death beds over 33 years of ministry. I have heard many regrets. I have never heard I put God first too much. I went to church too much. Ready Bible too much. Gave too much. Never had anybody ask for their tithes back on death bed. Never heard I worked on my marriage too much, parenting too much (don’t confuse parenting with just being a chuffer to sporting events).

Every day 170,775 deaths occur, that’s 7,115 an hour, 110 a minute (6% unforeseen 10,246 deaths a day) They had plans what mattered at their death?

Why? We look to short sighted.

STORY: Walking on park trail and 3-feet in front of me was this? Copperhead

Most people aren’t looking in front of them in life they are looking at their feet. Only today not several steps ahead. Stepping on a lot of serpents and getting lots of bites because not navigating with broader view.

Backpack verses day pack

Matt. 6:25 NKJV “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life…”

Matt 6:28 NKJV ““So why do you worry about clothing?”

Matt 6:31 NKJV “Therefore do not worry, saying…”

Matt 6:33-34 NKJV “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Let Jesus Put On What Does Matter

If you knew today was your last day what would matter. What would you not do? What would you do.

Learn from Jesus - vs 29

Matt 11:29b “29b ... learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jesus was the master of priorities. This is why you never see Jesus run. You never see Jesus stressed, other than in the garden when it came to wrestling with the cross. You never see Jesus worried; you never see Him stressed out because Jesus was the master of prioritization. Jesus said this in John 8:14. For I know where I came from, and where I'm going. John 8:14 (NLT) Too many people are living and navigating life using the Christopher Columbus method of navigation. They don't know where they're going. They don't know where they are when they get there, and they don't know where they've been when they get back.

Image vs Identity