Advance

Introduction

Neil talked about it Sunday but let’s revisit

Read Matthew 25:14-30

Explanation

Emphasize the difference in talents

You are 5 talent people!

It’s about far more than $. Like Neil said, REACH has the most to give

False narrative telling you others have way more to give

Wealthy (you think everyone is rich), intelligent (you don’t realize how many people can’t go to college), spiritually blessed (all you see is megachurches)

Luke 12 — to whom much is given, much is demanded

Unfortunately, some of you will waste the rest of your lives

Some of you have 5 talents, but will be like the 1 talent man (taking the easy road because of fear)

Some of you aren’t burying your talents out of fear, you’re planning to spend the returns on yourself (to use your gifts to build up your little kingdom)

Some of you will let consumer Christianity consume you

Many of us might have a Schindler’s List moment before God (again, those verses are about conversations about stewardship, not sin)

My plea — lay it all on the line for the one who laid it all on the line for you

Exhortation

Specifically, “Advance” the mission by praying, giving, and going

Sunday they’ll pass out commitment cards, but tonight you have a chance to give more.

*pass out cards*

PRAYING

First thing I’m asking you to do is pray

Fall Blitz — 35 people praying

I’ve failed in equipping y’all to pray more for what matters most

Looking for 31 students to fast & pray (+ 31 alumni & 31 friends)

Fasting means foregoing a meal, but some need to fast from social media

I’ll send out prayer reminder/list every day

Grab a card on the way out & text me or Trish

GIVING

You may not have much of anything to write down Sunday, but that’s fine—start tithing whatever you have!

If you don’t give while you’re poor, you won’t give while you’re rich

Me and Emma learning to stay small

In the future, increase your standard of giving more than your standard of living

GOING

Sunday, they’ll pass out cards with a blank line. Maybe you just put “IDK, but I’m gonna start tithing”

For “non-cash gifts” others have real estate, stocks, etc. You have your future.

More than a dollar amount, I’m asking you to write God a blank check. Put your life on that line. Where you live, what you do, who you marry, everything — not what’s comfortable, but what brings most glory to God

Tonight, before you put this on your mirror, you wrestle with it before signing your name.

Matthew 16:24+25 “If anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”