#3 You Got It, I Want It Rev. Dr. Jeremy Mahood

#3 You Got It, I Want It
Rev. Dr. Jeremy Mahood
November 2, 2014
A Judgement is a criticism that is often rooted in the idea that we have is not
enough. In the last lesson we looked at Eve’s temptation and how she tried to get
‘life’ from something other than God. What God had given to her was ‘not
enough’. In this lesson we will examine how the idea of ‘not enough’ expresses
itself in our lives through ENVY.
Envy: "a feeling of antagonism towards someone because of some good which he
is enjoying but which one does not have oneself … a coveting for oneself of the
good which someone else is enjoying…"
Envy:” the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the
advantage or prosperity of others; …envy desires to deprive another of what he
has…”
1. READ James 3:16
a. To what does James attribute disorder and evil actions?
b. What do you think he means?
c. What are some possible examples that would relate to this verse in
today’s society?
2. READ Proverbs 14:30
a. How does the writer of the Proverbs express the contrast between envy
and peace?
b. Please give an example of this.
3. READ Luke 6:45
a. What do you think Jesus means when he says the moth can only speak
what is in the heart. Do you agree or disagree and why?
4. READ Genesis 4:6-7
a. Using the story of Cain as an example, discuss this statement:
“ENVY CRIPPLES OUR ABILITY TO EXAMINE OURSELVES”
b. In what ways do you see this happening in society today, or even in your
own life?
5. READ James 4:3.
a. In what ways does envy affect our prayer life and our relationship to
God?
6. READ Esther 5:11-13
a. What was robbing Haman of his joy?
b. Discuss how envy cripples our ability to enjoy what we have.
7. READ James 4:7-9
a. What is James solution to our envy?
b. What does he tell us we must do?
c. Why do you think it is important to repent of our envy? (perhaps someone
in your group could explain the idea behind the word ‘repent’)
8. READ Proverbs 19:23
a. What does the writer suggest we do so we can live with inner peace?
b. What do you think it means to be ‘untouched by trouble”?
c. How does that relate to inner peace?
9. READ Hebrews 5:12
a. What has God promised here?
b. Why do you feel that for some people Gods promise of nearness is not
enough for them?
10. READ 1 Timothy 6:8
a. What does Timothy say we should be content with?
b. How do you think that concept should work itself out in our lives in this
modern society?
11. On Sunday the pastor mentioned that we need to “embrace the grace”; to
grasp onto the concept of God’s undeserved and unmerited favour in our lives. To
embrace the goodness of God and the gift of his son Jesus, the gift of forgiveness,
the new beginning, the gift of a new day, the gift of his peace, and come to
believe that the love of God is enough.
a. In light of our study on envy and finding personal peace, what do you
think he means?
b. How do you think your life and our world would change if we could
“embrace the grace” and live as though “God is enough”?
THE GIFT OF ENOUGH
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough “Hello’s” to get you through the final “Goodbye.”
My friends, I wish you enough!’