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What's Better Than Mind Over Matter? - U, Inc.

Essential Church Podcast

Release Date: 11/25/2024

What's Better Than Mind Over Matter? - U, Inc. show art What's Better Than Mind Over Matter? - U, Inc.

Essential Church Podcast

SUMMARY The concept of "You Incorporated" - examining whether we would keep our job if we were the CEO, CFO, or manager of our own lives. The issue of self-control and being "mastered" by things we desire, such as addictions, impulses, and cravings. The limitations of willpower and the ancient Greek philosophical idea of the "mind over matter" approach to self-control. The importance of having a greater passion or love for something more than our cravings and desires, as exemplified by athletes in training. The example of Jesus, who endured the cross for the "joy set before him" - his love...

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Follow the Money to Find Faith - U, Inc. show art Follow the Money to Find Faith - U, Inc.

Essential Church Podcast

SUMMARY The importance of managing your finances and being a faithful steward of the resources God has entrusted to you. The biblical principles of budgeting, avoiding debt, and prioritizing God over money.  How our finances and spending habits reveal the true condition of our hearts and relationship with God. The temporary nature of earthly possessions and the need to focus on eternal, spiritual riches. The danger of loving money and the need to choose to serve God rather than money. The call to examine our own financial practices and align them with God's principles. The need for...

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The Politics of Jesus Part 3 - Thy Kingdom Come show art The Politics of Jesus Part 3 - Thy Kingdom Come

Essential Church Podcast

The Politics of Jesus Part 3 Thy Kingdom Come Essential Church November 10, 2024 SUMMARY: The speaker emphasizes that the central focus of Jesus' teachings was the kingdom of God, not political agendas or ideologies.  The speaker explains that the kingdom of God is not a physical, political entity, but a spiritual reality that is present among us and within us when we recognize Jesus as the King of kings. The speaker uses various parables told by Jesus to illustrate the nature of the kingdom of God, such as the parable of the wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed, the yeast, the wedding...

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The Politics of Jesus Part 2 - Thy Kingdom Come show art The Politics of Jesus Part 2 - Thy Kingdom Come

Essential Church Podcast

The Politics of Jesus Part 2 Thy Kingdom Come Essential Church November 3, 2024 Summary - The speaker addresses the topic of Jesus' politics and how it is often misunderstood or used to support certain political views. The speaker examines the interaction between Jesus and Pilate, where Pilate asks Jesus if he is the "King of the Jews" and Jesus responds ambiguously, saying "You have said so." The speaker explains that Jesus was not interested in establishing a political or theocratic kingdom, but rather a spiritual kingdom in the hearts of people. The speaker cautions against deifying or...

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The Politics of Jesus Part 1 - Thy Kingdom Come show art The Politics of Jesus Part 1 - Thy Kingdom Come

Essential Church Podcast

The Politics of Jesus Thy Kingdom Come Essential Church October 27, 2024 Summary - Jesus was asked a political question about paying taxes to Caesar, but he avoided taking a partisan stance. Jesus emphasized that the ultimate allegiance should be to God, not any earthly political authority. The transcript discusses the historical context of the Pharisees and Herodians, two opposing political factions in Jesus' time. The speaker cautions against making politics the primary focus, rather than the message of the gospel and a relationship with Jesus. The speaker argues that Jesus did not come...

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SUMMARY

  1. The concept of "You Incorporated" - examining whether we would keep our job if we were the CEO, CFO, or manager of our own lives.
  2. The issue of self-control and being "mastered" by things we desire, such as addictions, impulses, and cravings.
  3. The limitations of willpower and the ancient Greek philosophical idea of the "mind over matter" approach to self-control.
  4. The importance of having a greater passion or love for something more than our cravings and desires, as exemplified by athletes in training.
  5. The example of Jesus, who endured the cross for the "joy set before him" - his love for a relationship with humanity.
  6. The tendency to wander aimlessly and chase after ease, comfort, and instant gratification instead of focusing on what God desires for us.
  7. The need to examine what we truly love most and align our desires and actions with that, rather than relying on willpower alone.
  8. The importance of having a vision and passion from God for our lives, which can provide the motivation and direction to overcome self-control issues.


DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  1. What does the speaker mean by "you Incorporated" and the idea of evaluating yourself as the CEO, CFO, or manager of your own life?
  2. What does the speaker say is the key to overcoming issues of self-control, rather than just relying on willpower?
  3. How does the speaker connect the idea of athletes training with discipline to the biblical concept of setting your heart and desires on what matters most?
  4. The speaker discusses how sin is often a "disordered love" - what does he mean by that, and how does it relate to having the right priorities and passions in life?
  5. What examples does the speaker give of how we can struggle with disordered loves and a lack of vision for what God wants for our lives?