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Message from Chuck Allen on August 22, 2022
In this weekday podcast episode, Pastor Chuck Allen reflects on Deuteronomy 6:10-12, emphasizing gratitude for blessings. He highlights how Moses warned Israel not to forget God’s provision as they entered a land full of cities, wells, and orchards they didn’t create. Pastor Chuck notes that, often, abundance can lead to arrogance and forgetfulness rather than thankfulness. He encourages listeners to embrace gratitude, recognizing that everything they have comes from God.
Thanks so much for that introduction and thank you for joining me on today's weekday podcast.
Let's get this week off to a great start and I want to go back to where I was last week in Deuteronomy chapter 6, but move on to the text in the verses 10 through 12. Once again, I want to read it to you from the message because Eugene Peterson has translated this in such a beautiful phrasing. It says, When God, your God, ushers you into the land he promised through your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you, you're going to walk into large bustling cities you didn't build, well-furnished houses you didn't buy, come upon wells you didn't dig, vineyards and olive orchards you didn't plant. And when you take it all in and settle down, pleased and content, make sure you don't forget how you got there. God brought you out of slavery in Egypt.
Sometimes I think it's important for us to recognize that we get to enjoy God's creation that we didn't build. The phrase, I'm a self-made man might be one of the most foolish things I've ever heard. Moses understood that Israel at the time they wrote this, once they settled in Canaan, would have difficulty living totally for God.And he was right. Unfortunately, there often exists a negative correlation between God's favor and our gratitude. And Moses describes the blessings that God will give to his people. But I want you to see how poetic the preaching style is in this verses 10 and 11. Large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of good things you did not fill, hewn out wells that you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees you did not plant.
These blessings can lead to Israel's downfall.I want you to notice the relationship between this. When you have eaten and are full in verse 11, and then beware unless you forget. Isn't it true that serious thinking must precede genuine thanking? To not think about God's blessings is to not be thankful to God.This is one of the reasons why I believe the Lord Jesus took communion so seriously. When he said, remember me, he knew that when we got full and satisfied and contented, how easy it would be that we forget all that he has done for us.
My friend, I want you to remember that in the Old Testament, Moses is saying, remember all good things you have have come from above and that we can and should be a people that are grateful for all that the Lord has done and for all that he is doing.
Oh my friend, how awesome is that that we are a people that can be grateful, satisfied, and contented all because of all that the Lord has done for us. Moses speaks effectively in this little passage on the tendency for our abundance to lead to arrogance.
Friend, today, let gratitude get a hold of your life and get after gratitude in your life.And when you do, watch how God blesses you richly. Don't find yourself in a sense of arrogance because all you have. Find yourself in a sense of awe and gratitude. Oh my friend, this is how we live the good life.
I thank you so much for joining me on today's weekday podcast.
Chuck is the Lead Pastor at Sugar Hill Church. He’s been the Lead Pastor since 2011, but he’s been around Sugar Hill Church since 2008. Since day one, Chuck’s passion has been to encourage others with this one big belief: “You can do this! You can love God with all your heart, mind and soul and be normal!" You will often hear him say, “the Bible is a very big deal, Jesus is the very biggest deal and living that out always involves serving people here and around the globe.” Chuck's passion is to graciously lead people to Jesus and create a simple path for them to grow in their faith. Some of his goals are to reduce the dropout rate in our local schools, serve with our missions partners well, lead our church and families with a healthy fiscal plan, and in the future, to provide transitional housing for single moms. Chuck and his wife, Jenny, stay plenty busy with six daughters, three son-in-laws, five grandkids and an awesome dog, Kirby. They are foodies and enjoy eating through the Atlanta Magazine Top 50 Restaurants. Chuck’s favorite things to do include fishing, reading, writing and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs!
Bobby serves as both the Associate Pastor and the Teaching Pastor at Sugar Hill Church. He has been on staff here since December, 2008 (where he started part-time in Student Ministry). Bobby’s passion comes from a love of seeing the light-bulb go on for folks. Whether it’s in a small group, a NEXT gathering, or during a weekend message, he loves seeing people “get it” and apply the truth to their lives. As one of our pastors here, Bobby helps individuals take the next steps in their faith, he helps the church fulfill its God-given mission, and he gives day-to-day direction to our Adult Ministries, Communications, and Finance teams. In his spare time, you can find Bobby riding his motorcycle, working out, reading, or eating gas station tacos. He and his wife, Laura, have been married since January, 2011, and they have a very “manly” 10lb cockapoo named Ollie. He would love to connect more, so find him on social media (@bobbymcgraw) or check out his blog at yourbetterstory.com.
