WE HAVE A SECRET – TES JAHNIG
Scriptures:
Luke 12: 22-32 (NIV)
Philippians 4:12 (NIV)
Matthew 7:11 (NIV)
Luke 12:32 (NIV)
Luke 18: 17 (NIV)
Points:
1. How Much More?
2. Fear Not, Little Flock
Many of us live with limitations because of the perception of the life we think we deserve or the comparison of our lives with that of those around us – most of the Western world lives with a lack of contentment and a great emphasis on earthly things.
QUESTION: Do you know what you have? And if you truly knew what you HAVE, what would you do?
AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS WE LIVE WITH AN ADVANTAGE. WE HAVE A SECRET. It’s a secret meant for all who know Jesus and have been given the treasures of the Kingdom here on earth.
Paul in prison writes to the church in Philippi, saying: “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. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13).
THE SECRET WE HAVE IS CONTENTMENT BECAUSE OF JESUS. And we can only live content when we live with child-like faith.
What is contentment?
Knowing God’s plan for your life and having the courage to live it.
Believing God’s peace is greater than the world’s problems.
And it’s a conviction that God will not withhold His best from me.
It has nothing to do with what we have on this earth and everything to do with who HAS US.
True contentment leans into the promise that despite my circumstances or HOW I FEEL – I know that My Father HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL and HE will provide everything I need.
Jesus makes a powerful statement with three little WORDS in Luke 12:
1. How Much More?
Ravens – if God feeds birds, HOW MUCH MORE will He feed you?
Lilies/ Grass- he clothes them; HOW MUCH MORE WILL HE CLOTH YOU? (Greek – COVER YOU)
We serve a HOW MUCH MORE God.
Matthew 7:11 – “If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.”
True contentment is found when we fully trust like children and approach our Father with an oblivious, free knowing that He has everything we need.
Every lack is taken care of.
Every sorrow is comforted.
Every wrong is made right.
Every doubt is covered.
It says in verse 32 that it PLEASED THE FATHER to give us the KINGDOM.
WHAT IS THE “HOW MUCH MORE” GOD GIVES HIS CHILDREN? He gives us THE KINGDOM. A shared rule and reign with Christ here on earth. Access to His inheritance,
And how do we gain the Kingdom? This HOW MUCH MORE from the Father? How do we find true contentment?
Luke 18 – “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” WE RECEIVE THE KINGDOM WITH CHILD-LIKE FAITH.
The second thing Jesus says is,
2. Fear Not, Little Flock
Paul, in prison, has PEACE. How? Why?
Because he learned the secret of contentment, in the soaring highs and even in chains, his eye was on the prize, not the outcome of his circumstance NOT ON WHAT HE CAN GAIN ON THIS EARTH.
He had to learn the secret – how to live in abundance, live with nothing, and be content in both. In Philippians 3 he says “I count it all RUBBISH/ LOSS that I might gain CHRIST”
He knew what it meant to SEEK THE KINGDOM ABOVE ALL ELSE and trusted that as he pursued Jesus WITH CHILD LIKE FAITH, the grace of God would give Him everything He needed.
VS 32 Fear not little flock FOR it pleased the Father to give you the Kingdom. One sentence two thoughts – separated by a word that tells us one depends upon the other: Why should we not fear? Because we have the Kingdom.
The grounds for why we DO NOT FEAR is because the Father delights to give HILS CHILDREN His Kingdom.
So, this small text reveals multiple ways we see God and how He interacts with us, his children. He GIVES US THE KINGDOM. We do not buy our way into the Kingdom. Buying and selling does not fit into the Kingdom. You can not buy God. You can not buy peace. You can not but joy. You can not buy righteousness, mercy and grace. You can not buy inheritance. You can not trade for it.
JESUS PAID THE FULL PRICE.
With childlike faith, A SIMPLE I BELIEVE GOD – as a little flock – we take hold of the Kingdom, and therefore, we HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED. WE ARE CONTENT. WE HAVE THE SECRET. And His name is JESUS – our full access to the Father – who HAS IT ALL.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
So we fear not. Not because the circumstances are good. Or we are in control. OR THE OUTCOME IS WHAT WE EXPECT IT TO BE. We fear not because Jesus makes a way to the Father who gives US everything WE need.
Discussion Questions
1.Contentment and Trust: How does the concept of contentment challenge our societal norms and expectations? Reflecting on Philippians 4:12-13, what does it mean to find contentment in Christ regardless of our circumstances?
2. “How Much More”: Discuss instances in your life where you’ve experienced God’s provision or care in ways that surpassed your expectations. How does understanding God as a “How Much More” provider change our perspective on prayer and asking for our needs? In what ways can we develop a child-like trust in God’s provision and care, especially in times of uncertainty?
3. Receiving the Kingdom with Child-like Faith: What does it mean to approach God with child-like faith? How can we cultivate child-like faith in our relationship with God and in our daily lives?
4. Fear Not, Little Flock: Discuss the connection between fear and trust in God’s provision. How does trusting in God’s provision alleviate fear? Share personal experiences where trusting in God’s provision helped overcome fear or anxiety. How can we practically apply the principle of “fear not” in our lives, particularly during challenging times?
5. What does it mean to “turn your eyes upon Jesus” in the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties? How does focusing on Jesus change our perspective on our circumstances? Share ways you’ve experienced the transformative power of focusing on Jesus in your own life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you for your Word that guides and nourishes our souls. Teach us contentment, trust, and child-like faith. Help us let go of fear, knowing you provide abundantly. Guide us to live each day with confidence in your provision. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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