The Grass is Always Greener

Me

Eating With the Enemy

Message 4

The Grass is Always Greener

Me:

Fulltime Pastor

a. My dream job.

i. Start my day when I want

ii. Lots of time to do projects

iii. Time to study

iv. Go to lunch with colleagues

It seems a much greener grass

b. Here’s the problem

i. God has not opened that door

ii. That door has remained closed

It’s not God’s timing

iv. Here’s one truth – Many of you have stepped up and served because it will not get done unless you do it.

We:

Exposing a Lie

The Lie of Comparison

There is a famous quote – “Comparison is the thief of joy”

ii. If you believe that it’s better at another table, then you can be certain the enemy is at your table.

iii. I think we are doing this and not realizing it

iv. Any other table than God's table is about stealing, killing, and destroying

v. When the devil sits your table, he often points to another table and talks about how amazing it is somewhere else.

vi. Look at that over there.

That’s the solution to your problems.

The Worst Kind of Salesman

i. The devil will tell you exactly what you what to hear.

ii. He will show you exactly what you think you're looking for.

iii. It will look oh so good

iv. He doesn't tell you that he is about to ruin your life.

v. He doesn’t tell you that his table is death

vi. His sales pitch will always compare your life to something or someone else.

Look at the delicious desserts on that table

God:

The Good Shepherd

Abundant life

John 10:10 NLT

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

1. What does the thief do?

2. It steals, kills, destroys.

3. You quit the church - you have an affair – you fall into addiction – The devil is eating your cake!

4. What does God offer?

5. Abundant life – a quantity so great it is beyond our greatest hope

John 10:11 ESV

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

1. The good shepherd

2. He says it again in verse 14

John 10:14 ESV

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Ps 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd

5. The shepherd does what?

Provides, Protects, Guides

7. That’s the greener grass

Psalm 23:2 NLT

2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

You:

Don’t give into the lie

a. Honest assessment

“I am who I am” - I wish I was I want to be.

Are you seating at the wrong table?

ii. I have the text messages and conversations to prove that many are.

iii. Don’t lie to yourself

iv. CR calls this denial

v. I will tell you from experience the grass is not greener

vi. Maybe it is time to confess

vii. The prodigal son came to himself

viii. The father ran to embrace him.

ix. He’ll run to embrace you too.

Just imagine:

You don’t have to live this way.

Jesus is calling

i. Come back and sit at His table.

ii. It’s made for only two.