Choosing Jesus over Things

Lesson: Choosing Jesus over Things
Message: See turningpointbfc.org/sermons

Pray for it - "Lord, please forgive me, fill me, and open my eyes to the wonderful truths in Your word that I may obey and make you proud (Psalm 119:18)."

Introduce it

1. What are some of your favorite things?
   1. What things make you the most happy?
2. What helps you make hard choices--especially when choosing between things?

Read it - Hebrews 11:24-26
"By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, because he preferred to endure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of the Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God]" (Hebrews 11:24-26, AMP).

Study it

1. Basic
   1. Who is the author and audience?
   2. What's the letter about? What's the chapter about?
   3. What issues and/or questions does this chapter address?
   4. What terms or phrases catch your attention or bring up questions?
2. Deeper
   • vs. 24: What is faith?
     • Hint: Hebrews 11:1
   • vs. 24: What does it mean to refuse something?
   • vs. 25: How is association with God's people, even with mistreatment, better than pleasure--even if sinful?
   • vs. 26: What is reproach?
   • vs. 26: How is being connected to Christ, even with reproach, better than all the wealth of the world?
     • Hint: Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 2:10-12

Learn it

• vs. 24-25: "by faith ... when he had grown up, [he] refused"
  • #turningpoint: Like Moses, choosing Jesus requires making certain refusals by faith. 
  • ... refusing the things of Egypt for the things and people of God
  • ... refusing comfort with the wrong people and suffering with God’s people
  • #GrowthChallenge: How does faith and maturity help me refuse certain things in order to choose Jesus?
• vs. 26: "the reproach of Christ [is] greater wealth"
  • #turningpoint: Like Moses, choosing Jesus requires going public with your faith in Christ, and accepting any reproach. 
  • #GrowthChallenge: How or where can I go public with my faith?
• vs. 26: "he looked ahead to the reward"
  • #turningpoint: Like Moses, choosing Jesus requires looking ahead to what God would do. 
    • ... the reward of a home—both the promise land and a more permanent home
    • ... the reward of Jesus
    • ... the reward of impact
  • #GrowthChallenge: What has God promised that I can look forward to?

Apply it
Make S.P.A.C.E. for God and His word in your life.
S - sins to confess?
P - promises for which to ask & trust God?
A - attitudes/actions to change?
C - commitments to make?
E - examples to learn?

Memorize it
What passage is God using to really speak to you? Memorize it!