Friction in Our Finances (Palm Sunday)

Welcome to Palm Sunday!!!

Welcome to Redemption Church!

We are so thankful that you have decided to be here in God’s presence with us today.

We are in week 3 of our current sermon series called ‘Fact Or Friction’.

We have been discovering all the ways God gives us grace to help us navigate the stressful and difficult times in our lives.

This is also Palm Sunday where we celebrate the Triumphal entry of Jesus (La entrada triunfal en Jerusalén)

So, let’s look at the Rule and Reign of Jesus, and how our finances cause friction and take our eyes off of Him.

Temporary vs. Eternal - Temporal vs. Eterno

In Mark 11, we see Mark’s account of Jesus’ triumphal entry.

The people wanted Jesus to overthrow the government and bring in a new time of peace and prosperity.

Would someone read Mark 11:9-10.

Mark 11:9–10 NKJV

9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

Mark 11:9–10 RVR60

9 Y los que iban delante y los que venían detrás daban voces, diciendo: ¡Hosanna! ¡Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor! 10 ¡Bendito el reino de nuestro padre David que viene! ¡Hosanna en las alturas!

There were probably some who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, and many more who just wanted a better life. You probably could not tell the difference between who was who on that day.

The focus was on the temporary problems of life and not on the eternal solutions Jesus brought.

Finances (how we manage our money) is similar.

We earn money, we look at our needs, and we apply money to our needs, and our wants and never seem to have enough.

We focus on what others have instead of considering how we can use money as a tool to glorify God and bless others.

I want to go into three financial truths to point us back to Jesus even when our finances cause friction:

1. Invest in the Eternal - Invertir en el Eterno

Read Matthew 6:24.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24 RVR60

24 Ninguno puede servir a dos señores; porque o aborrecerá al uno y amará al otro, o estimará al uno y menospreciará al otro. No podéis servir a Dios y a las riquezas.

2. Your Finances do not Define You - Tus Finanzas no Te Definen

Read Matthew 6:19-21.

Matthew 6:19–21 NKJV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19–21 RVR60

19 No os hagáis tesoros en la tierra, donde la polilla y el orín corrompen, y donde ladrones minan y hurtan; 20 sino haceos tesoros en el cielo, donde ni la polilla ni el orín corrompen, y donde ladrones no minan ni hurtan. 21 Porque donde esté vuestro tesoro, allí estará también vuestro corazón.

3. Choose God over Money - Elige a Dios sobre el Dinero

Read Matthew 6:24.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24 RVR60

24 Ninguno puede servir a dos señores; porque o aborrecerá al uno y amará al otro, o estimará al uno y menospreciará al otro. No podéis servir a Dios y a las riquezas.

4. Submit to the Heart of Christ - Someterse al Corazón de Cristo

During the Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, He came with a purpose. Many did not ask why He was there and just assumed that He came to meet their expectations.

We must be willing to ask Jesus what His heart is for us, for our family, and for our finances.

Then, we must submit to His will for us - knowing that His way is ALWAYS the best way.

There are a few practical ways to choose God over money as our master:

1. Decide to be generous with your money. Consider tithing regularly or creating an account that you can put money in that can be used to bless people.

2. Make sure you have dedicated time off during the week. Carve out an intentional Sabbath rest. This is a time when you step away from work in order to be refreshed and connected to God.

3. Make a list of all the things you are thankful for to keep yourself from obsessing over the things you do not have but do want. Gratitude to God helps crush greed for more.

4. Consider taking a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace course to help you order your finances in a healthier way. Paying off debt and becoming generous can change your life.

Application