From Empty to Overflowing

Be Happy Attitudes Part 1

Be Happy Attitudes (pt 1) Background: The “Beatitudes” represent the introduction of the Sermon on the Mount (28-30 AD), the first, formal teaching of Jesus with his followers. In these short, powerful, poetic verses, Jesus topples the traditional thinking of his day (and ours), by showing us how opposite the Kingdom of Heaven is from the Kingdom of Earth. And yet, he also suggests that succeeding God’s way will help you master the art of everyday living in 2025. During this 3-week series, we will investigate 3 Beatitudes each week. Matthew 5:3-5 (NIV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit,     for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn,     for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Remember: The people Jesus spoke to on the Mount of Beatitudes were like us. We’re cut from the same cloth. This is not some irrelevant, historic literature. It’s as applicable in SoCal 2025. Be Happy Attitude #1: In God’s Kingdom, filing for spiritual bankruptcy isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. 3 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (The Message) The problem is trying to do life on our own Self-reliance is the DNA of sin; becoming “like the gods” Poor people can be self-reliant and wealthy people can be God-reliant, but resources tempt us to do life on our own Be Happy Attitude #2: In God’s Kingdom, good grief is when we bring it to God and when it reminds us of a blessing we have experienced. 4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. (The Message) God wants to be involved in all of our life and emotions; don’t exclude Him When we see God as our source, we thank him for His gifts; even when they leave Be Happy Attitude #3: In God’s Kingdom, meekness is not weakness. Rather, it’s about walking softly and carrying a big God. 5 “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought. (The Message) John Stott: “Meekness is not the absence of assertiveness, but the absence of self-assertion.” Tozer: “The meek person is not a human mouse, plagued by feelings of inferiority. Rather, one may be as bold as a lion in moral conviction, yet no longer deceived about themselves." N.T. Wright: “Jesus is promising the world to the people who refuse to grab it for themselves.”

Peace in the Storm

Sun. Sand. Sea. And Soul Work Week 3: Peace in the Storm Peace isn’t found in the absence of storms— It’s found in the presence of Jesus. That day when evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ MARK 4:35–41 When Life is Hard and it Feels Like God is Sleeping on the Job Sometimes Jesus Leads You into the Storm “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Don’t Confuse God’s Silence With God’s Absence “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 3. Say What’s True, Even If You’re Afraid “Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8 4. You Can Have Peace Before the Storm Ends Your storm doesn’t get the final word. Jesus does. You may not be able to calm your storm—but you can cling to the One who controls it.

Second Chances

Sun. Sand. Sea. And Soul Work. John 21 “Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.” v 1 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, ‘We’ll go with you.’ So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.” v 3 HOW TO GET YOUR NEXT CHANCE WITH JESUS 1: Face the Memory and Let Jesus Meet You There “When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.” v 9 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 2: Jesus is still present, still pursuing you—even when you feel like a failure. “Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.” v 4 “He called out to them, ‘Friends, haven’t you any fish?’ ‘No,’ they answered. He said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’” Verses 5, 6 3: Jesus doesn’t ask for perfection—just your “yes.” “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord.” “Feed My lambs.” Three times. Verses 15–17 (summarized) “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.” Romans 11:29 4: Don’t Isolate. Circulate “As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, ‘It is the Lord,’ he wrapped his outer garment around him and jumped into the water.” v 7 Don’t Let Shame Become Your Name. YOUR WORST MOMENT ISN’T YOUR LAST CHAPTER

From Empty to Overflowing

Sun. Sand. Sea. And Soul Work: From Empty to Overflowing Luke 5:1–11 (NLT) 1-Jesus Shows Up in the Place of Scarcity 2-A Scarcity Mindset Sounds Reasonable… But it Isn’t Biblical A Scarcity Mindset is the internal belief that “there’s not enough.” 3-Abundance Begins With: “But If You Say So…” 4-Abundance Comes When You Obey — Not When You Understand With Jesus, abundance is the NORM — not the exception. 5-God’s Abundance Always Leads to Humility, Not Entitlement After everything HE COULD DO…he had nothing…but in moment of what GOD COULD DO…he had everything. 6-The Greatest Catch Wasn’t the Fish — It Was Peter Practical Takeaways 1. Identify your scarcity statements. 2. Say: “But if You say so…” 3. Celebrate even the small signs of overflow.

GO AND TELL — Living Out the Great Commission

The ABC’s of Christianity GO AND TELL — Living Out the Great Commission Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 1. The Great Commission Is More Personal Than You Think 2. “Come and See” — The Invitation That Still Works “Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about… Jesus of Nazareth.’ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip.” John 1:45–46 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did.” John 4:29 3. This Mission Isn’t a Burden — It’s a Blessing “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” -- Frederick Buechner 4. You Don’t Need to Preach a Sermon — Just Live One A. Start With Prayer B. Tell Your Story C. Be Present 5. We Literally Change the World When We Obey This 6. This Is How We Prove Our Love for Jesus “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 What if you are the only Jesus someone ever sees? What if you are the invitation God wants to send? What if your “Come and See” is the moment that changes someone’s eternity?