Crosspointe Church
Discussion Guide

Castles in the Sand

Pastor Chad Large
|
February 23, 2025

Main Idea

The central message of the sermon was that our unique strengths and gifts are given by God to further His Kingdom, not our own. Pastor highlighted the importance of using our gifts in service to others and under God's authority. He warned us about the dangers of pride and self-promotion, which can lead to the misuse of our gifts and ultimately harm our relationships, especially in marriage.

Scripture References

Proverbs 18:16, Judges 13-16, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 11:29, Matthew 5:5, Deuteronomy 8:11-17, Genesis 11:4-6, Psalm 127:1, Proverbs 10:22, James 4:13-16

How can we identify if we're using our gifts for personal gain or for God's purpose?

When we use our gifts for self-promotion rather than serving Christ, we're building our kingdom instead of God's, which leads to pride and downfall.

What are some practical ways to submit our strengths and gifts to God's authority?

Discussion Questions:

How does the story of Samson relate to our modern-day use of gifts and talents?

In what ways can pride interfere with the proper use of our God-given gifts?

How can we ensure that our success in our gifted areas doesn't lead to failure in other aspects of our lives, such as marriage?

By submitting our gifts to God, we can build a legacy that empowers future generations and stands the test of time.

Summary

In Pastor's sermon titled 'The Misuse of Gifts', he reminded us that our God-given gifts and strengths are meant to open doors and create opportunities for us, just as Samson's supernatural strength did. However, Samson's story also served as a cautionary tale, illustrating the consequences of using these gifts for personal gain rather than God's purpose. We were encouraged to reflect on how we're utilizing our own gifts, whether in finance, influence, leadership, or any other area, and to consider if we're building our kingdom or God's.

Call to Action

Some next steps to take this week:

Reflect on how you're using your God-given gifts and consider if they're being used to serve God's purpose.

Humble yourself under God's authority and use your strengths to build His Kingdom, not your own.

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