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Possessed by Possessions?
...following on from Dave's message on Sunday July 8...
In Acts 2 & 4 we have see Holy Spirit move in God's people in a very special way. Even though it was hard for people to own land, we see Jesus followers giving away land and possessions (see Acts 4:32-37). This was not just a matter of them giving away something they didn't need. They were making a statement: "we are not going to let these things rule our lives. In the way we use possessions we want to show that Jesus' Kingdom has come."
We all know how dominant our possessions can become in our lives, and sometimes - like the rich young man (Matt 19:16-22) - they can keep us from following Jesus. They can blind us to the plight of the suffering. They can stifle our witness.
Last week we heard that following Jesus is about being a community of restoration. And we were asked to consider:
- Which story are your possessions telling?
- Do they tell the story that Jesus' Kingdom has come?
- Are your possessions obscuring Jesus' rule and influence in your life?
It's true. Sometimes the things we have, or the things we strive for, suck life out of us. They can steal our joy. They can consume us. They can quench the work of the Spirit in us. They can make it near impossible for Jesus' restoration to be seen in us. When that happens, we're possessed by possessions, and Christ's ownership in us cannot be seen (see 1 Cor 6:19-20).
So this week and next we have an opportunity to show that we want to follow Jesus, and we want to throw off the domination of possessions. It does not mean we're all called to give everything away. We are called, however, to repent and make a fresh start.
Over this weekend and next I encourage you to prayerfully consider whether possessions have too much control of your life. If they do, God is calling you to do something about it. Here's a suggestion bring along:
- Those possessions that have dominated you. This can be anything: Brand names? Technology? Bring it to RCRC. Make the break, and leave it in the designated box in the Hall
- A symbol of the things that have dominated your life, and which you now want to break with (e.g. Travel junkie? Bring a brochure/whatever to symbolise your commitment; stock market - bring the prospectus; Internet? Bring software, PC, whatever)
Please understand:
We're not asking for junk
- This is not about what you can afford to give away, it's about what you can't afford to keep. It's been ruling your life, and that place belongs to Jesus.
- This is not a demand: it's an opportunity to express your desire to follow Jesus in gratitude for the life you have received in him
- Things of worth will be sold and all monies used for poverty relief
If you want to know more, email dave@redlandscrc.org.au
If you want to hear Dave's message again, go to www.redlandsacrc.org.au/sermons and click on "Possessed by Possessions?"
If you want to see the World Vision video clip "Teenage Affluenza" again, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFZz6ICzpjI