Surprising Sermon About Achieving Your Dreams | Bobby Schuller | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Surprising Sermon About Achieving Your Dreams

Shepherd's Grove • Oct 19, 2024 • 37 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Following Jesus is not an empty religious obligation, but an invitation into a divine life filled with God's blessings and rewards. When we surrender our earthly security and material wealth to fully follow Christ as His disciples, we gain heavenly treasures that transform us today and endure into eternity. True fulfillment comes from committing each day to growing into the likeness of Jesus, knowing that who we become in Him is the ultimate reward.

Themes

DiscipleshipDivine Rewards vs. LegalismSurrender and SacrificeSpiritual TransformationHeavenly Treasures

Key Points

1.
Legalism reduces faith to a duty without reward, whereas true God-given religion comes with divine blessings for those who trust Him.
2.
When believers trust God with their tithes and offerings, He promises to pour out blessings beyond what can be contained.
3.
To be a disciple in Jesus' day meant taking on the yoke of the rabbi—committing to walk where he walked, believe what he believed, and do what he did.
4.
Treasuring things in heaven is like storing treasure in the cloud; it secures eternal value while granting practical spiritual blessings like wisdom, favor, and peace today.
5.
Placing financial security above God's calling prevents us from experiencing the fullness of life in His kingdom, as seen in the Rich Young Ruler.
6.
Whatever sacrifices believers make for Jesus and the gospel will be returned a hundredfold in both this present age and eternity.
7.
The ultimate legacy you leave in this life is the person you become through Christ, as character is the one thing you take into eternity.
8.
Real growth and fulfillment come from making hard choices that build spiritual strength rather than taking easy paths that leave you spiritually bankrupt.

Sermon Moments

“There is one thing you take with you when you leave this world, and that is the person you become.”

“Legalism is religion that says you got to pay a price with no reward... it's rewardless duty rooted in shame.”

“Discipleship is taking on the yoke of the rabbi—to sleep where he sleeps, go where he goes, do what he does, and believe what he believes.”

“Treasures in the heavens are like having your photos backed up on the cloud; they are safe, indestructible, and enrich your life today with wisdom, favor, and peace.”

“There is only one person in all of scripture who heard the rabbi say 'Follow me' and said no—the rich young ruler who went away sad.”

“We are materially rich, but spiritually bankrupt; well-fed, but spiritually starving; we have means, but no meaning; we have gold, but no glory.”

“You have to enter the Kingdom poor, but you don't have to stay poor—give it all up to get it all.”

“Hard choices lead to an easy life, while easy choices lead to a hard life.”

This Week

Examine where you might be viewing your faith as an empty religious duty, and ask God to help you see the joy and rewards of walking with Him.

Practice generous financial stewardship by tithing with an open heart, trusting God's promise in Malachi 3:10 to provide for your needs.

Commit to bringing a physical Bible to church each week and setting aside regular time to read and meditate on God's Word.

Identify any material or financial security you hold onto more tightly than God's calling, and surrender it to Him in prayer.

Intentionally choose a hard discipline this week—such as waking up early for prayer or exercising self-control—knowing that discipline builds character.

Express love, pride, or forgiveness to a family member or friend today rather than delaying important relational words.

Ask yourself daily, "Who am I becoming through Christ?" and align your choices to reflect His character and teachings.

Remember This

True success in life comes not from hoarding earthly wealth, but from surrendering everything to follow Jesus and becoming the person He created you to be.

A Challenge for You

Hard choices lead to an easy life, while easy choices lead to a hard life—so commit every day to becoming more like Christ and go after the good, godly potential He has placed within you.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.