Sift - The Hustle

Intro:

Sift

Filter through the Bible

Submitting to God’s authority

Repenting

Asking questions, wrestling

Tell a story about having to hustle

LU Janitor flood

Transition into the idea of “the hustle.”

We’re good at...

Falling Off Both Sides of the Railroad Track

The Railroad Track: The Gospel

Side #1: License

Side #2: Legalism

2 Peter (look out for bolded words and phrases)

2 Peter 1:5b–11 (NLT)

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Q. Does this sound like a hustle?

The hustle mindset is understandable

Don’t measure up = throw out Bible

Skipped 1:1-5a

Context is key.

As read in bold, ask… Does this sound like a hustle? Why or why not?

2 Peter 1:1–5a (NLT)

1 This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises...

Q. Does these sound like hustles…?

“Precious faith” … “Given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior”

Not given bc of our hustle; because of Him

Why does God give us our faith? … Because of His justice and fairness

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”

God gives grace and peace

Given through relationship, not simple rule-following

“God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

God gives it; we don’t earn it

“… Received all of this by coming to know him…:

We received it from Him!

“… Called us to himself by means of His...

By means of HIM!

“… Because of His glory and excellence.”

It is because of Him, not us

“… Given us great and precious promises.”

According to his promises; not our hustle

“These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption...”

“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises...”

The context for 1:5b-11

Obedience as a response of thankfulness

Christlike characteristics from submission to Holy Spirit

Not from us trying harder

Q, Does this make it sound like we need to “earn” God’s love?

NOT: Living God’s way to get Him to love me

IS: God loves me, therefore, I live God’s way because I know He is trustworthy

Self-Improvement ≠ Good News

The Elephant in the Room = Anxiety

Anxiety at top of lsit

Talk about the pressures that 13-17 year old’s face that cause anxiety

Refer back to the train tracks

Not that we should be lazy

Work hard bc it’s for God

Let down when hustling for earthly rewards

Talk about where the pressure comes from

Teachers

Parents

Peers

Yourself

Fear

Control

Trying to feel worthy

Power

But at what cost?

Sift throgh 2 Peter 1:2.

“May God give you more and more grace and peace as you go” hustle to get straight A’s and get a 5 on your 3 AP exams?

“Grow in knowledge of” how to balance your three sports, two clubs, and all your responsibilities at home and school?

2 Peter 1:2 NLT

2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

God wants you to experience grace and peace.

How?

Hustling? Nope!

Relationship

Not doing stuff; being with Him

Talk about the added danger of smart phones, social media, etc.

Constant brain stimuli

“Your entire school and the entire world is in your back pocket at all hours of the day and night waiting for an answer.” -Time.com

Constantly turning to a screen = no downtime

Creates dopamine

Segue into talking about the need for rest

Brain is still in development mode

Needs rest

Screens = not true rest

Direct command from Bible to rest

Emotional relationship limit: 150

Self-harm and eating disorders

Talk about sifting our schedule for rest

Technology boundaries

Homework boundaries

Semester commitments

Include parents in this conversation

Counseling

Time in nature + excercise

Healthier foods

Quit a sport, activity, college prep class, etc.

Get on Gospel track and don’t be lazy.

But no more hustle

Again...

2 Peter 1:2 ESV

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Can’t let cultural expectations steal grace and peace

Sifted what is true… so now, take your life back.

Psalm 127:2 - Take a nap

PRAY