In the Bible Christian Ministry
Sunday 3-9-25 (Open Hands Part 1)
- IntroThere are so many times that we look to understand more about what God wants from us?We have so many questions:What does he want me to do?Who am I really?Where am I going?And God is really very simple in His approach.He makes it very clear— we should have strong Faith in Him constantly.So much so that He tells us to not be anxious about anything
Philippians 4:6–7 NIV 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.He is making it clear that we are not to worry. But it is on us to inact this.Imagine the amount of faith we must have to live this verse. Not to be anxious about ANYTHING.That covers a lot of ground.Faith comes basically in two forms:The power to Reach Out and Hang OnThe Willingness to Let GoThat brings us to this Lesson: Open HandsBecause to accept his will you must open your hand to receive and in order to let go of the past you must also first open your hand.Drop what you have and accept what is being given to youLetting GOIt is hard to let go. But that is the first step.We accept God into our lives and commit to Him but there comes a lifestyle that we must live. A lifestyle based on FAITH.In order to receive completely what He has for us We must first LET GO of what we are holding on to.You can’t grab something new if your hands are full.But we are kings and queens of back up plans. We don’t want to let go of our:Our PlansOur WillOur Ways of doing thingsOur Network of how we work things outWe’ve accumulated a lot of things and it’s not all bad stuffWe have knowledge and understandingLet go of self — surrender control.This aspect of faith involves surrendering control, releasing attachments, and trusting in God and His plan.It's the acceptance that we cannot control everything and that sometimes we must relinquish our own desires and expectations.Letting go is hard but it’s a first stepsSingle ManOne of the first things I had to do as a single man. Was Delete some numbers, throw away some contacts, remove some memories so I could be dedicated to my new girlfriend at the time who eventually became my wife.I couldn’t hold on to just in case because then I couldn’t be fully committed.I also couldn’t hold on to past hurt and pain caused by others and apply it to her.But this happened beforeBut that happened beforeIt’s hard to let go of that hurt and pain from a past relationship and give another person a chance without comparison or a SAFETY NETShe didn’t do it.We want to Hold on to the Good Stuff:Our selfish nature puts us first all the time but we have to learn to put God first and othersBut what is the good stuff.What about the Bad stuffWe hold on to the past knowledge and ways of thinking even though we know it is unhealthyWe can learn something new but This is what I was taughtStep on crack - portalssplit a polewalk under a ladder - triangle; holy trinity - don’t want to break it.break a mirrorsweep someone’s feetKnock on wood - good and evil spirits lived in treesSalt over shoulder - JudasBut many times the world gives us things to hold on to that we don’t want but we hold on to it anyway…because it’s ours—it belongs to US.GrudgesUnforgivenessPainDisappointmentWe carry it around like it is very valuableIt’s called a BURDENPsalm 38:4 NIV 4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.Notice he says MY GUILT—OwnershipWe go through life thinking that we OWN the burden. The burden many times was given to you.May have been passed downMay have been handed overYou may have just picked it upFamily may have given it to you!!!!Or you think you just supposed to be something that you really are not.And you hold on to it like it is of valueThink about it Many of us hold on to what is not valuable, not useful, harmful things like they are the best find.All because somone gave it to us!!!And we don’t let them go. We FIGHT to keep it.We fight to Hold on and we Fight to let go.Once you have something in your grasp its YOURSRich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22)Was not going to let go of his lifestyle and we hear no more about himMoses:Held on to being less thanHeld on to being a prince - let it goInadequacy- let it goPublic speaking - Let it goPeter (Luke 22:54-62)Fear - had just denied Jesus three timesA few months later he was standing in front of the same people who had Jesus killed and boldly told them he was teaching the same gospel that got Jesus killedProdigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)Luke 15:18–24 NIV 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.Let go of prideHumble himself and walk down that long rode back to his home to see the man he just turned his back onWhat are you holding on to????What are you allowing to hold on to you?People advise us. JUST LET IT GONo this grudge is mine. They will never hurt me again I hate…- You see how bad this making you feel.- But let it go…NO- It’s mine mine mine- I’ll never forgive, I’ll never let go- It’s killing you but you won’t open your handGods’ hand is right there open but you won’t drop that burden to take his hand.And he says well if you won’t drop. How about you GIVE it to me.Now what does God do with it?- Not only does he remove. He repairs the place where you held it…because holding on to that poison the place where you kept itWe hold on to others people’s burdens We tell them to give it to God but they give it to us and we keep it.Psalm 68:19 NIV 19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.HOLDING ON the wrong thing can KILL YOUHateThat worryThat UncertainityThat InsecurityHow can you live life if you don’t let go of DEATH.Time to LET Go and hold on to lifeHold On to LifeIn order to move forward we have to let go of the pastPhilippians 3:12–14 NIV 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.Hasn’t quite gotten it yet but he has let go of that which is behind:look what he had to leave behindA life of knowledgeGuilt of persecuting these peopleShame of hurting othersShame of unbeliefIt’s hard to move forward when you are being held back by your past.It is easier to hold on to that and say that you are holding on to it when in actuality you feel it is holding on to youLetting go so you can press on.Hebrews 10:23 NIV 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.Once you let go and hold on to God that which you feel is a part of you will fall off.It all starts with opening your hand letting go of all things and Grabbing on to God who is giving you complete LifeLet go of death and grab on to LIFE!!!! Philippians 4:6–7NIV2011
Psalm 38:4NIV2011
Luke 15:18–24NIV2011
Psalm 68:19NIV2011
Philippians 3:12–14NIV2011
Hebrews 10:23NIV2011