4-28-19Freedom Series #17

Freedom From A Poverty Spirit

What The Bible Says:

2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in His kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2  They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3  For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4

They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem. 5  They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

What We See Here:

1. What a ___________ spirit is not:

A. Demon possession

B. Poor in spirit

Matthew 5:3 (ESV)  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

April 28, 2019 westsideinfo.com Steve Barr

James 4:6“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”

Financial Poverty in the Bibleis always a curse . . .

Isaiah 66:2 “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.

2. What can a poverty spirit look like?

Now What?

3. What can I do today to break a poverty spirit?

A. be ___________________

Ps 23 The Lord is my Shepherd I SHALL NOT WANT !!

sing/say/meditate on the psalms of thanksgiving

Psalm 86:11-13 Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. 12  With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, 13  for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death.

PARENTS: teach your children to be thankful

B. be a good __________________

of your gifts

April 28, 2019 westsideinfo.com Steve Barr

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:

of your ________________

Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV) Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16

making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

of the __________________ God has given you

1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)  We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.

Psalm 127:3 Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.

of your _____________

C. be ________________ with who you are and what you have

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Ephesians 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

D. ____________________ it head on

1. You must confront it

John 1:12

April 28, 2019 westsideinfo.com Steve Barr

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

2. Choose to believe that God actually does want to bless you.

Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

“wealth is not sinful – wealth is not godlyit doesn’t matter if you have wealth . . .

what matters is if wealth has you”-Greg Laurie

3. Speak words of ________________

Change what you say and you’ll change how you think.

words of life - reap what you sow

4. Throw off the limits of what you think God can or cannot do.

1 Corinthians 10:26 For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”

Psalm 24:1The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

5. Dream big…__________ ___________ ________.

Response:

What is God speaking to me?

Specifically, how will I obey Him?

April 28, 2019 westsideinfo.com Steve Barr