1-15-25 S.U.M. It Up!

    

1-12-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

CREATURES OF HABIT: Stuff v. Simplicity 1-12-25

CREATURES OF HABIT: Stuff v. Simplicity 1-12-25

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, church! I want to welcome you today as we begin the second week of our sermon series, Creatures of Habit. I believe the weeks of these sermons may contain some of the most important topics we can cover.

 

Our lives are largely made up of the habits that we have developed. Each day is defined by the choices we make or do not make. God has wired us as people of routine. That, within itself, is not the problem. The problem is that some of the ruts we find ourselves in lead us to live unhealthy lives.

“Unless your habits change, you won't have a new year . . . You will just have another year of the same patterns. “

          Anonymous

 

Last week we talked about replacing the habit of internalizing negative thoughts and living as if they define us with a habit of filling ourselves with truth from God’s word each and every day. We discovered that when we meditate on truth, day and night, it can profoundly impact how we live. Today, we will take a look at another habit that can help us live into the fullness of Christ.

 

Once upon a time there was a pharmacy on every corner.  It seems like there are fast food restaurants on every corner.  Soon there will be storage units at every corner.  Have you noticed how many are being built in our communities?  

A young banker was driving his BMW, in the mountains, during a snowstorm. As he rounded a turn the vehicle slid out of control and toward a cliff. At the last moment he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped from the car.

Though he escaped with his life, his left arm was caught near the hinge of the door and torn it off at the shoulder.

A trucker passing nearby witnessed the accident, stopped his rig, and ran back to see if he could be of help. There standing, in a state of shock, was the banker at the edge of the cliff moaning, "Oh no, my BMW, my BMW". The trucker pointed to the banker’s shoulder and said "man you’ve got bigger problems than a car".

With that the banker looked at his shoulder, finally realizing he’d lost his arm, and began crying ":Oh No, my new Rolex, my new Rolex".

Sermon Central, April 1, 2008.

 

Our country is obsessed with more: More homes, More cars. More credit cards. More clothes. More vacations, More toys. We have a hunger for things and we have convinced ourselves that if we just had a little more, then we would be happy and fulfilled. I know people who spend hours a day on Amazon ordering something just to see it come to their door. I know individuals who love the rush of swiping a credit card just to toss the item to the side only days later. The ads on our phones and the commercials on our televisions would love for us to continue with our spending and collecting habits. The problem is there is no amount of stuff that can give us the sense of fulfillment and peace -  that only comes from a relationship with God.

 

I.  LESS IS MORE

 

For some of us, our spending habits, our collecting habits, and our hoarding habits have become such a part of our daily routine that we do not recognize the power they have over us. For many, these habits have gone on for so long, and are so accepted in our wider culture, that we forget that we have become slaves to payments, bills, worry, and comparison. 

 

The apostle Paul offers us a new habit to introduce into our lives that may help us experience true freedom from an old way of living. He writes to the Philippian church about their willingness to support him in his most difficult season of ministry. The generous outpouring from this church was a blessing to Paul. And Paul shares his secret to loving God and loving others.

 

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

‭‭ Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A.  Contentment

In a word, Paul is talking about contentment. He knows what it is like to have a lot. He knows what it is like to have a little. No matter the circumstances that he finds himself in, he has learned to be thankful and grateful for whatever God has provided.

 

By listing all the things God has given us, and being thankful for all the blessings we often overlook, we can develop a habit of gratitude and contentment. When we are constantly striving for more, we can lose the most important things in life. But, when we find ourselves with less, we can actually become more sensitive to each and every simple blessing. 

B.  Take an inventory

1.  How have God’s little blessings impacted your life?

2.  How aware are you of God’s daily blessings?

 

Here is an illustration that shows what a small daily habit of gratitude can do in someone’s life. In the Chilean village of Chungungo, water is nearly as valuable as precious metals. The region is arid and parched, forcing the village to truck in freshwater over dirt roads from miles away. Until recently, the average person could afford a mere four gallons a day (compare that to the average American who uses ninety gallons a day) and buying even that meager amount soaked up 10 percent of household incomes. In Chungungo bathing was a luxury.

 

But then, scientists experimented with an ingenious new system for obtaining water. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Schemenauer, a Canadian cloud physicist, workers hung a “wall” of finely woven propylene nets on the top of the nearby mountain, El Tofo. Each of these nets is the size of eight queen-size bed sheets sewn together and there are seventy-five such nets on this mountain. And they sift the clouds that incessantly sweep in from the Pacific Ocean. Like dew collects on grass, infinitesimally small water particles from fog collect on these fiber nets. Ten thousand such water particles must coalesce to produce one drop of water the size of a tear. Still, each water net collects forty gallons of water a day. The seventy-five nets on El Tofo sift a total of three thousand gallons daily from the drifting clouds and fog. And now the 330 residents of Chungungo drink water—the freshest they have ever tasted—from these nets atop nearby El Tofo mountain.

 

You see, just like these nets, little habits, over a long period of time can produce big results. It makes me wonder how our lives might change if we learned to live simply. If we learned to be content and to appreciate all that God has given to us, our hearts would overflow with joy.

 

II.  SIMPLIFYING LIFE IS A FORM OF TRUST

 

As creatures of habit, we are not naturally content people. The draw for more is somehow connected to our value, worth, and status. We often are in the habit of accumulation because we are trying to keep up with others, or to bring ourselves comfort.  Because of this, simplifying our lives takes intention. It doesn’t happen by accident.

A.  When less is more

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

‭‭ 1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

Jesus knew his followers would struggle with contentment. He knew it was a constant temptation to want more. What Jesus always pointed his followers to, was to trust. Trust that God would supply all of their needs.

B.  Trust

 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus introduces us in this passage to a helpful habit that can move us from our need for stuff to a place of simplicity. The habit is awareness. Jesus says look around you. Put aside your worry and anxiety over what you do or do not have, rather, pay attention to how God provides and cares for the birds of the air. They do not scramble to sow or reap or fill up barns with perceived needs. They trust the Heavenly Father to simply provide. And here is the key: if God will do it for them, won’t he do it for us?

C.  Thankfulness

 

ILLUSTRATION: I want to invite you to close your eyes. I want you to slow down for just a moment and take inventory of the blessings that God has given you. Think about your family, your workplace, your home, your health, the blessings that come with living in America. With each one that comes to mind, tell God, “Thank you”. (Give a moment) Now, with eyes closed, I want you to consider the desires you have that give you anxiety and worry. No matter what it is that you find consuming your mind and heart, give it to God. With each one that comes to mind, tell God, “I trust you”. (Give a moment)

 

Two simple phrases that could be implemented into your daily routine that would undoubtedly transform your life: Thank you. I trust you.

 

III.  SEEK THE KINGDOM FIRST

 

Living the simple life begins with having our priorities in order. When we know what is most important in life it allows us to go without the things that are of peripheral importance. This was also a message that was preached by Jesus. He said it this way…

 

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

A.  Seek first

 

Don’t seek that raise first. Don’t seek that new car first. Don’t seek the house on the lake first.  Don’t seek that purse first. Instead our focus should be on the Kingdom of God first. When this is first on the totem pole of life, everything else has a way of falling in line.

 

B.  Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness

ILLUSTRATION: Nesting boxes

In life there will always be many things vying for our attention. Whatever gets our attention will be the thing that consumes our time and energy. We must be very careful what we make a habit of chasing after. Sometimes we go after the lesser things. Things like cars, houses, larger bank accounts, clothes, shoes, or status. We have garages, storage units, and attics full of the stuff. Jesus warned us to make sure that the Kingdom of God is our priority. When we seek any of these four things first, we can’t hold everything. But, if we seek the Kingdom first, everything else has a way of fitting together. It is simplicity. Everything fits together when we put God first.

 

Putting the Kingdom first helps us navigate what to buy, what to pursue, how to treat our spouse, how to love our children. Putting the Kingdom first keeps us from wasting energy on things that don’t really matter and cluttering our lives with purposeless stuff.

 

C.  Don’t worry

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭34‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

CONCLUSION

So, as creatures of habit, how do we move from stuff to simplicity?

 

1. Intentionally watch your bank account. Create a routine of taking note of what gets the bulk of your finances. Are there places you would rather it go? Consider intentionally simplifying in one area so you can be generous to others in another. 

2. Create margin in your life. Don’t overspend. Don’t overcommit. Don’t overextend. Say no to some things so you can say yes to better things.

3. Repent of idols in your life. Are there things that you have that you love more than God? Repent of them. Consider getting rid of them to protect your love for God.

 

I want to pray for you today and ask God to point at the areas of our day-to-day lives that could benefit from a simpler way of living.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins     and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.

S.U.M. It Up! 1-8-25

    

1-5-25 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream

Creatures Of Habit: Poison Vs. Promises 1-5-25

Creatures Of Habit: Poison Vs. Promises 1-5-25

INTRODUCTION

 

I want to welcome you to church today. I am so glad to be able to open up God’s Word together as we allow Him to teach us something new. You came to church on the perfect day because we are starting a brand-new sermon series called Creatures Of Habit. Many of us find ourselves in a bit of a rut from time to time. We repeatedly make the same decisions that offer us the same results. We are all creatures of habit. God designed us that way. However, it is important to evaluate the routines we have developed and ask whether they are making us the people God wants us to be. Throughout this series I will be talking a lot about habits and much of what I’ve learned comes from two different sources: James Clear’s book Atomic Habits and Charles Duhigg’s book The Power of Habit.

 

I believe that in the Bible, God offers us new ways of living, new habits, that can help us live healthier lives that honor God and honor others.

 

God has created each of us as amazingly complex beings who are able to accomplish extraordinary things. Author James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, explains that inside of our brains there are two areas: the basal ganglia and the brain stem. These are the regions where habits and routines reside. These locations in the brain are closely connected to emotions, memories, and pattern recognition. However, decisions and choices are made in a completely different area of your brain called the prefrontal cortex. When the same decision is made over and over again, a groove in your brain develops and those decisions move from the prefrontal cortex move to your basal ganglia. The decision-making area of your brain shuts down and your brain goes into automatic mode.

 

This is why many of us brush our teeth in the morning and at night… hopefully. It’s why we crave ice cream after dinner. Why we hit the snooze button 14 times when it is time to wake up. Why we chew our fingernails when we get nervous.

 

These things are called habits. We don’t even think about them, they just happen.

 

Clear introduces the cyclical nature of our habits. It can be boiled down to every habit having a four-step process. There is a cue. Something begins the habit loop. You are hungry, bored, frustrated, sad, or tired. Someone insults you, or cuts you off in traffic. Someone shares some juicy gossip. The cue triggers a craving.  That leads to a response. The response is our decision. We eat too much. We take part in the gossip. We binge watch Netflix. We self-soothe with a substance. This then results in a reward. We feel guilty. We feel too full. We put someone else down to lift ourselves up. The outcome helps us determine whether or not we make that decision again. The key to changing our habits and outcomes is changing our response. With God’s help, we can break the loop and start fresh. It all comes down to intentional living and the choices we make.

 

Charles Duhigg, in his book, The Power Of Habit, says:

 

“The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.”

 

Many of us feel like the person we are right now is not the person we want to be. There is a sense that God wants more for our lives than we currently are experiencing. We have to recognize that our actions and habits originate in our minds.

 

 I.  A RENEWED MIND LEADS TO NEW HABITS

 

In the book of Romans, Paul is addressing the early church that was developing in one of the most hostile and difficult areas. These early Christians were living under Roman rule. They were called to live “set apart” as Christians and followers of God, making godly decisions by saying yes to the things they should say yes to and no to the things they should say no to.

 

Sound familiar?

 

So, in Chapter 12 Paul is addressing our patterns of living. The choices that we are making.

 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

‭‭ Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

A.  Patterns/habits

Paul mentions something key in this verse. He talks about patterns or habits. If we are going to live lives set apart for Christ, then we have to develop patterns and habits that are different from the world. In order to do this, we have to renew our minds. We must think differently. When we do this, Paul says that we will be able to test and approve what God’s will is for our lives. We must develop a sober mind that knows and believes what is true so that we won’t act upon information that is misleading or false.

B.  Information vs. Disinformation

 

It’s really tough these days to discern what is true and what is false. Many of us have developed a pattern of listening to worldly voices. These voices shape the way we think about ourselves. They shape the way we spend our time. They shape the things we value. They often shape the bad habits that we get stuck in. Our minds are infiltrated and our lives follow suit. These lies are like a poison to our soul and we must stop taking them in.

 

Years ago, when the western U.S. was being settled, roads were often just wagon tracks. After hundreds of wagons passed the same way, these tracks became deep ruts and grooves in the earth. These rough trails posed serious problems for those who journeyed on them. On one of these winding paths was posted a sign which read: "Avoid this rut or you'll be in it for the next 25 miles!”

 

Some of us this morning are stuck in a rut. A pattern and habit because of something that someone said to you years ago. “You are a failure.” “You are unlovable.” “You won’t amount to anything.” “God doesn’t love you.”

 

Whether it was handed to us from friends and family or from the culture around us, we run the risk of never hearing the truth: “You are loved by God.” “You are HIS child.” “It wasn’t your fault”. We may need to renew our minds by replacing the old voices and old information with new ones.

 

II.  THE BIBLE IS THE SOURCE OF TRUTH

 

A.  The truth of God

The way to combat a habit of believing lies is embracing a habit of trusting truth. As people of God we believe that the Bible is the source of all truth and authority for our lives -it is the living Word of God. The Psalmist writes about this in Psalm 19.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

‭‭ Psalm‬ ‭19‬:‭7‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B.  The promises of God

Listen to the words that the writer uses to describe the promises of God. They are refreshing for the soul. They are trustworthy. They bring joy to the heart. They are as precious as gold. They are sweeter than honey. Why does the writer make these claims? I think it is because he has made a habit of reading the scriptures, meditating on God’s Word, and hiding those truths inside of His heart.

 

C.  We need to disrupt the loop of lies.

We need to have some kind of disruption to change our responses to the triggers of life.

 

(Have a balloon and pin on stage with you. Be prepared to blow the balloon up multiple times before popping it.) We can get so used to the negative input that it just becomes a rut, a routine for us. We start believing what is said to us. (blow up) We start to embrace harmful thoughts. (blow up) We begin to embody falsehood. (blow up) What we believe impacts how we live, and how we live impacts who we become. We need a disruption. (POP) Something to wake us up to what is true.

 

Whenever we sense that we are taking in negative thoughts, degrading words, or poisonous judgements, we can turn to the Bible and be reminded of promises like these…

 

When we come to Jesus, we find rest – Matthew 11:28-29

God will strengthen us when we are weak – Isaiah 40:31

God has a plan for our lives – Jeremiah 29:11

God will forgive us when we confess our sins – 1 John 1:9

 

These are just a few of the mind-renewing truths that are found in the Bible. They can keep us from falling victim to the lies of this world.

 

III.  READING THE BIBLE IS A LIFE CHANGING HABIT

 

As creatures of habit, we can develop new routines that will change the way we think about ourselves and how we live day to day. Carving out a regular time in the mornings or evenings to read the Bible may be the perfect way to begin to fill your mind with God’s promises.

 

A.  Bible reading changes the way we think.

Again, the Psalms are helpful for us to cultivate this new habit in our lives.

 

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

‭‭ Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭97‬-‭105‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

B.  Regular Bible reading leads to life change.

It is a love for God’s Word that causes us to consume it every day. The writer says that he meditates on it day and night. This word meditate is the Hebrew word – sichah (see-khaw). It means a deep reflection or musing about something. To meditate on God’s word is to fully immerse yourself in the text. And the more that we read the Bible, the Bible also reads us. It shows us things about ourselves that we would not otherwise see. The spiritual discipline of reading the scriptures develops within us a faithful heart and sound mind. What we repeat in times of ease will be recalled in times of trial.

 

When I really started to take my faith seriously in high school, I had given my life to Christ.  I had started preaching.  I was involved with a very active youth ministry.  I joined the Bible Bowl team.  I wanted a God-sized vision for my life and to believe what He said about me. In order to do that I needed a reminder. A daily disruption. I found what I needed in Proverbs.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭16‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

CONCLUSION

Creating a habit of meditating on God’s Word takes intentionality. It does not happen by chance. Consider some ways to make a daily practice of scripture memory, reading, and studying.

 

- Study a book that is easy to handle. Consider beginning in the Gospels and reading daily the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

- With 31 chapters of Proverbs and 150 Psalms, it is easy to cover both books when reading daily over a month’s time.

- Choose a passage a week to commit to memory by writing/printing it out and placing it in prominent places throughout your day.

- Subscribe to a daily text or email service to receive a daily devotion or scripture.

 

How you go about incorporating more time reading the Bible is less important than making sure you are committed to reading or listening to scripture on a regular basis. This week, what are the poisonous thoughts that you need to replace with the promises of God? Choose one way to make it a reality today.

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins     and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.

12-29-24 Kenwood Church of Christ Live Stream