PACK YOUR BAGS - NICK NILSON

"We have not been saved from this world, but we have been saved for this world."

~ Pastor Nick Nilson, LAKEWOOD CHURCH, Saturday December 20, 2014

John 13:3-5
³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

[Prayer]

PACK YOUR BAGS

Feet are not very pretty to Nick.
Not the most attractive; they're kind of nasty and ugly.
Not our greatest attributes.
It takes a move of God for Nick to massage his wife’s feet; even though she has great feet.
Most of us don’t want to display our feet.
Nick showed us pictures of his family.
None of the pictures displayed their feet.
Smiles, teeth, great hair – but not feet.
We like our feet to stay covered and hidden.
But in John 13 Jesus is making a statement bigger than servant leadership.

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INVISIBLE BUT INVALUABLE - JOEL OSTEEN

"It’s better to become who God created you to be than to try to promote yourself to become something you’re not."

Pastor Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, Sunday December 14, 2014

VICTORIA'S WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Victoria had idea to give homeless women baskets of toiletries. Told God “I will do what You say”. He gave her opportunity to speak to women about a homeless shelter. Not baskets. Had to let go of her idea for God’s idea. The women were impacted by Victoria’s speech. God had stretched her to a new level with His idea. Ask God to give you another opportunity. To make up lost time. God wants to restore those things that were lost. But don’t look behind. Press forward. God will give you another opportunity. You’ve grown. You’ve changed. You’re prepared. Will it be hard? Probably. God wants people to be sharpened by you. God will open the doors and show you some big things.

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JOKE: Pastor versus choir director

KEY VERSE:

Matthew 6:4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

INVISIBLE BUT INVALUABLE

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COUNTED BY THE CREATOR - JOEL OSTEEN

"Remember when life counts you out, God counts you in."
~Pastor Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church Sunday 12/7/14

1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”


COUNTED BY THE CREATOR

It’s easy to feel disqualified.
By our mistakes, negative words...
Even our own thoughts.
We’re writing ourselves off.
The prophet came to Jesse’s house to choose the next king.
7 sons.
Samuel was going to choose the big muscular oldest Eliab.

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REMEMBER TO REJOICE - ISRAEL HOUGHTON

"Thanking starts cranking the engine of faith."

Israel Houghton, Lakewood Church, Saturday 11/29/14

I listened to songs about thanking God over and over as a child.
You can continue thanking God.
"I want my life to be a 24/7 thank you." – Darlene Zschech

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
It’s easy to remember.
Israel is fascinated when scripture says something twice.
In Luke 10:38-42 Martha has an attitude because Mary’s not working.
Martha, Martha… [Luke 10:41]
I only want God to call my name once.
Why does He say rejoice twice in Philippians 4:4?

REMEMBER TO REJOICE

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