Cedar Hills Community Church Cedar Hills Community Church

Treasure Hunters Celebrate
Pastor Kent Landhuis

TEXT - Luke 15

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 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.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Wealth Management
Pastor Kent Landhuis 

THEME - Each one of us has a responsibility to manage our wealth wisely.
TEXT - Luke 16:1-13

Three spirits of wealth enhancement:
1. The spirit of money management.
Luke 16:1-2
1 Peter 4:10
Colossians 3:23

2. The spirit of relational investment.
Luke 16:3-7
Luke 15

3. The spirit of treasure multiplication.  
Luke 16:8-14
Matthew 6:19-33
Matthew 25:14-30

NEXT STEPS
1. Plan and prioritize how to use our resources to love people.
2. Invest in community groups, family groups, and small groups.
3. Bring people into the community of Jesus. 

PEOPLE MATTER
Spend some time reflecting on these truths about relationships and pray that Holy Spirit will lead you to invest in deeper relationships:
1. Jesus showed us that we meet God through other people.
When we gather with other Christians, God is with us. (Matthew 18:20). 

2. Jesus said love is non-negotiable.
The most important commandment Jesus gave us is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-40). 

3. Jesus showed us how to love people.
Jesus did everything He could to help His friends and followers know God. (John 15:12-15).

4. Jesus told His friends not to do life alone.
Jesus sent His followers out in pairs to share the good news of God’s peace (Luke 10:1-2). 

5. Jesus redefined family.
Family is more than just biological parents and, siblings. (Mark 3:31-35).

6. Jesus shared meals with people.
In Jesus’s culture, sharing a meal with someone meant you were no longer strangers, but close friends. (Mark 2:15-17, Luke 7:36).

7. Jesus emphasized individuals over tasks.
Jesus wants His followers to care for hurting and troubled people (John 21:15-17).

Beware the Love of Money
Pastor Steve Poole
 
TEXT - Luke 16:19-31
 
The Big Ideas Jesus Wants to Challenge:
1. The rich man goes to hell and the poor man, Lazarus, goes to heaven.
 
2. The resurrection will not persuade those who have not believed the truth revealed in Scripture.
 
3. Beware the love of money.
·        Luke 16:13-14
·        “Mammon” is used in some translations and means wealth, money, riches or property.
·        Do not neglect justice and mercy.
·        1 Timothy 6:9-10
 
APPLICATION
1.   Make Jesus the Lord of your life by faith
in His death and resurrection.


2.  Practice generosity this week (living with open hands).

Treasure Hunters Ask Courageous Questions 
Pastor Kent Landhuis 

THEME - Beware of Greed.
TEXT - Luke 12:13-21

The Parable of Bigger Barns is about you.
1. Do I want to know the truth?
* Matthew 13:10-17
* Philippians 2:3

2. Do I recognize the seductive power of earthly treasure? 
* Luke 12:13-21
* Luke 18:18-27

3. Do I build bigger barns? 
* Luke 12:32-34
* Luke 12:21

NEXT STEPS
1. Be courageous.
2. Name your barns.
3. Hold earthly treasures lightly.
4. Give away earthly treasure.

GO DEEPER - Rich Toward God

Being rich toward God is valuing what God values over ourselves. It is seeking God’s kingdom first. Consider a few more courageous questions:
* How does God love me and how does God want me to love others?
* How can I build God’s kingdom barns better, and avoid building my barns bigger?
* How can I increase my need for God as my earthly treasures increase?
* What does God want me to do with the possessions I manage for God?
* How can I be wise and avoid being foolish about my wealth?
* How can I know the real peril to my soul that is created by my wealth?
* How does God want me be rich toward God? (What does it mean to be rich toward God?)
* How can I grow to treasure what God treasures?

Meditate on this verse:  “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, inspire and instruct me to be rich toward you. Holy Spirit, prompt me to use my earthly treasures to build your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where is Your Treasure: Following the Treasure Map
Pastor Kent Landhuis 

THEME - Parables provide a map to find kingdom treasure.
TEXT - Matthew 20:1-16

Treasure maps orient us in at least three ways:
1. Know where you are going: What does the treasure look like?
* Matthew 20:1-2
* Isaiah 52:7a. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…” 
* Matthew 11:5b. “the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

2. Know where you are starting: Find the “you are here” button. 
* Matthew 20:3-15
* Matthew 5:1-12

3. Know where to dig: X marks the spot. 
* Matthew 20:16
* Luke 14:15-26

NEXT STEPS
1. Meditate on the kingdom treasure in the Beatitudes (see below) 
2. Ask the Spirit to lead you to kingdom treasure. 
3. Reflect on God’s Kingdom Reign by watching the BibleProject video: What is the Good News of the Gospel

The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

A presentation of Noah's Ark Preschool