SERIES OVERVIEW
This is a ten-part series – based on John Maxwell’s Best Selling Book “Put Your Dream To The Test: Ten Questions To Help You See It and Seize It!” This week, Pastor G talks about “The Cost Question: Am I Willing To Pay The Price For My Dream?”
MESSAGE NOTES
Are We ALL Willing To Pay The Price For Our Shared Dream of Building A Growing and Thriving Church here at Waikoloa Community Church?
Always remember that {sacrifice}, striving and struggle always precede success, even in the dictionary. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR US TO PAY THE NECESSARY COST OF OUR DREAM?
1) We all need to transition from
“Believer IN the Dream” to “Buyer OF the Dream.”
Dream BELIEVERS can be found in ABUNDANCE! Dream BUYERS are RARE! ~ Pastor G
2) We Need To Realize The Price Will Always Be Higher Than We Expect.
The secret of my success is that I bit off more than I could chew and chewed as fast as I could. – Paul Hogan
3) We Need To Realize The Price Must Be Paid More Than Once.
PHILOSOPHIES OF PAYING THE COST
1) PRIORITY GIVING: This is also known as “first fruits” giving.
Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. ~ Proverbs 3:9-10
ARE WE HONORING GOD WITH OUR WEALTH?
2) PERCENTAGE GIVING: Also known as “tithes and offerings.”
You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. ~ Deuteronomy 14:22
But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. ~ Luke 11:42
Just as you excel in everything– in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us– see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:7
3) SACRIFICIAL GIVING: Modeled for us by Jesus and many early disciples.
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.. ~ 2 Corinthians 8:2–3
4) PERPETUAL GIVING: Necessary to carry on the dream without gaps, down times and setbacks.
www.WaikoloaCC.org/GIVE/
Is It Possible To Pay TOO MUCH For A Dream? —— YES!
GOD’S VALUES MUST GOVERN YOUR DREAMS!
Make a list of all the things you need to protect at all costs and not sacrifice, even for the sake of your dream.
TRUST THAT WHERE GOD GUIDES, GOD ALWAYS PROVIDES!
KNOW THAT OUR COMMITMENT ALWAYS PRECEDES GOD’S PROVISION!
THREE COSTS YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED TO PAY
1) PAY THE COST of Persevering Through the Criticism of Others.
First people will tell you that you are wrong. Then they will tell you that you are right, but what you are doing isn’t important. Finally, they will admit that you are right and what you are doing is very important; but after all, they knew it all the time. ~ Jonas Salk
WHEN SHOULD YOU LISTEN TO CRITICISM?
1) When you are unconditionally loved by the one who criticizes you.
2) When the criticism is not driven by that person’s personal agenda.
3) When the person criticizing you is not naturally critical of most things.
4) When the person will continue giving support even after the criticism has been shared.
5) When the person has great experience or knowledge about the area being criticized.
The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. ~ Proverbs 27:6
2) PAY THE COST of Overcoming Your Irrational Fears!
3) PAY THE COST of SWEAT EQUITY!
A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit. ~ Greek Proverb
HOMEWORK
1) How much am I willing to pay (in finances, in sweat, in time, in sacrifice) in order to help WCC achieve our shared dream of a growing and thriving church?
2) How much am I willing to pay (in finances, in sweat, in time, in sacrifice) to achieve my other dreams in life?
GO DEEPER
PRIVATE OR GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
READ: The Two Homework Questions Above
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Prayerfully ask God, “Are you still calling me to be an active participant in my home church?” What is His answer?
2) Prayerfully ask God, “In what ways are you calling me to support my church in my finances and in my time and service?”
3) Prayerfully ask yourself, “Am I willing to be faithful in fulfilling those callings upon my life by God?” If not, why not? If so, what changes (if any) will you make this week in the ways you “Pay the cost” of your dream for your church.
READ: Proverbs 3:9-10, Deuteronomy 14:22, Luke 11:42, 2 Corinthians 8:7 and 2 Corinthians 8:2–2
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) With these examples of Scriptures (just a few of many similar Scriptures) in mind, how will you determine your personal commitment to meeting the cost of the dream of your church?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg encouraged us to “Make a list of all the things you need to protect at all costs and not sacrifice, even for the sake of your dream.” What are some things you are unwilling to sacrifice for the sake of the shared dream of growing Waikoloa Community Church into a thriving faith community of all ages? Can you write out a list of these things?
2) By default, anything that is not on that list should be something you are willing to pay, if the need arose, to pay the cost to keep that dream alive? Are you willing to do that?
3) Apply these same questions to another dream in your life other than the health and growth of our church. What are the things you need to protect and not sacrifice even for the sake of that dream? Are you truly willing to pay any and every other cost to keep that unique dream of yours alive? Why or why not?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg said he had learned, “Where God Guides, God Always Provides!” Do you agree with this? Why or why not? What has been your experience when God has guided you to do something or to sacrifice something? Has He made up the loss and provided even more to you in the long run or has something else occurred?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg said he had learned, “Our Commitment Always Precedes God’s Provision. In the past he has cited the priests carrying the Ark of Covenant needing to step into the waters of the River Jordan BEFORE God would part it as one of many examples. Do you agree that God requires commitment from us before He provides miraculous solutions and provisions? Why or why not?
READ: Proverbs 27:6
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1) Pastor Greg listed several times we should listen to criticism but indicated we should not let criticism impact us when it doesn’t match one of those five conditions. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
2) Have you ever had a dream or tried to accomplish something good, that you really believed in, only to have it crushed by constant criticism by someone else? How did it feel? Did it make you want to try harder or did it make you want to give up?
3) Assuming you didn’t give up, how were you able to persevere and continue pursuing the dream God had placed inside your heart and called you to accomplish?
4) Realizing that you can have the same positive or negative impact on someone else who is paying the cost to accomplish their dream, how should this impact your daily behavior?