Sometimes We Give God Our Leftovers
Comfortable -- Part 2
July 4, 2010

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)

"One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:35-40

"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

i. Why Do We Give God Our Leftovers?

• Because we're afraid to ask questions
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone." Mark 10:17-18 (NIV)

• Because we have become distracted
"You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Mark 10:19-20 (NIV)

• Because we desire our own independence
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Mark 10:21 (NIV)



• Because we fear total commitment
"At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" Mark 10:22-23 (NIV)

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24 (NASB)

ii. What Happens When I Put Jesus First?

• I have the freedom to let go of my past
"All praise to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us." Revelation 1:5 (NLT)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 (NASB)

"He has taken our sins away from us as far as the east is from west." Psalm 103:12 (NCV)

• I have the freedom to walk in the present
"God will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 (NKJV)

• I have the freedom to hope in the future
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NASB)

"God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." John 3:17 (NASB)

"We know that our body...will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever." 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NCV)








The Apostle John wrote..."I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:2-4 (NIV)