SERMON TITLE #1:

The Treasure of Thankfulness

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:19-20
THEME: Discover the Golden List (10 Things Im Grateful to God For)
Introduction
Introduce series, The Ultimate Life
Introduce movie, The Ultimate Life, brief synopsis of story
Video clip: The Ultimate Life, train scene re: Golden List (20:08-24:00, end after otherwise,
youll never be grateful for nothing)
Throughout series, were going to learn about the Ultimate Life also from the writings of Paul,
a man who lived The Ultimate Life and taught it to others
Introduce text: Ephesians 5:20
1. Give thanks to God
If you have put your trust in Christ
a. You have been forgiven and redeemed (Eph. 1:7)
b. You have been given the riches of his grace (Eph. 1:7-8)
c. You have been shown the mystery of his will (Eph. 1:8-10)
d. You have been guaranteed an inheritance (Eph. 1:11-14)
e. You are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
f. You are brought near (Eph. 2:13)
g. You are brought in (Eph. 2:14-18)
h. You are brought together (Eph. 2:19-22)
i. You are included in Gods family (Eph. 3:6)
j. You are invited into Gods presence (Eph. 3:13)
2. Give thanks always
a. Make it a daily habit
i. Make a Golden List every day
3. Give thanks for everything, on every occasion
a. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1
Thessalonians 5:18, KJV).
a. In little things (as the hobo said, otherwise, youll never be grateful for nothing)
b. Even in diffculty
i. One reason=you dont know enough to distinguish good from bad, ultimately
ii. Another reason=giving thanks can transform curse to blessing
1. Ann Voskamps story (One Thousand Gifts)
Conclusion
Handoutwrite your frst Golden List (10 Things Im Grateful to God For)
SERMON TITLE #2:
The Treasure of Generosity
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
THEME: All we have is a gift, and God empowers us to manage these assets
in a way that honors Him and also allows us to give back because
it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Introduction
Calculus=the study of change
If we could believe Gods calculus instead of our own, we would be blown away by what God will do in/
through/with our moneywhen he has our hearts
1. Be guided by gratitude (v. 5 (not grudgingly), vv. 11, 12)
b. See your life as a gift
Video clip: The Ultimate Life, where Red gives Hamilton a kidney (1:26:50-1:31:42)
c. See your money/possessions as a grace (v. 14)
d. See your money/possessions as a trust (v. 8)
2. Be cheerful in giving (v. 7)
3. Be generous on every occasion (v. 11)
Conclusion
We are not only recipients but administrators of his grace, which helps us live open-handed rather than
tight-fsted. When we experience the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive we refect Gods
nature for God so loved the world that He gave
SERMON TITLE #3:
The Treasure of Contentment
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:10-13
THEME: Contentment is a great gift from God. We can have all the money in the world,
but be empty, lack peace, and be bankrupt in whats really important.
Introduction
Video clip: The Ultimate Life, scene when Jay says I have enough (1:34:22-1:38:26)
Can you imagine? Giving back $10k? Having enough? Being that content?
Paul was: Philippians 4:10-13, 1 Timothy 6:6
1. Clearly dene your needs
a. Eccl. 5:10
b. Money has never yet made anyone rich (Seneca)
c. If you wait until you have enough to be content, youll never be content
2. Keep yourself occupied with gratitude and gladness of heart
a. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1
Thessalonians 5:18, KJV).
b. When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to
accept his lot and be happy in his workthis is a gift of God. He seldom refects on the
days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart (Ecclesiastes
5:19-20, NIV).
3. Focus on things that endure
a. Put away riches in heaven that will not be used up. There, no thief can come near it. There,
no moth can destroy it (Luke 12:33, NIRV).
b. Obviously, riches in heaven include your salvation, your relationship with God.
4. Dont focus on getting (not even getting contentment), but on giving
a. Contentment is a lot like one of those magic eye picturesIf you focus on it, youll never
see ityou have to focus on something beyond it, and that something is outfow to others.
Conclusion
Revisit point about riches in heaven including salvation; invitation to begin or renew a relationship with
God through Jesus Christ
SERMON TITLE #4:
The Treasure of Relationships
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:1-11
THEME: We shouldnt go through life alone. Everybody in this world needs somebody
to believe in them and love them.
The real treasure in life is relationshipswith God and with family and friends.
Introduction
No one should go through life alone. No one wants to go through life alone. We all want someone who
believes in us.
Video clip: The Ultimate Life (44:14-44:58, I wouldve believed in you, Red)
How do we go about building those relationships?
1. Be quick to bless others (vv. 1-2)
2. Be grateful for your relationships (v. 3)
3. Be prayerful in your relationships (vv. 4-5)
4. Be hopeful in your relationships (v. 6)
5. Be transparent in your relationships (vv. 7-8)
6. Be purposeful in your relationships (vv.9-11)
Conclusion
Make a relationship with God through Jesus Christ central to all your relationships
Appeal to begin a relationship with God through Jesus Christ
SERMON TITLE #5:
The Treasure of Life Purpose
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:4-14
THEME: The power of having a focused life purpose. It can inspire us,
motivate us to action, and carry us through the challenges we face in life.
Introduction
What are you living for? Are you living life on purposeor by accident?
Video clip: The Ultimate Life (14:22-16.04, ending he ended up a billionaire.So will I)
1. Specify your non-priorities (vv. 4-6)
a. Look back at where youve come from
b. List things youve tried, found wanting
c. Describe the person you do NOT want to be
2. State your purpose (vv. 7-8)
a. Draft a mission statement
b. Draft a vision statement
3. Devise a plan to get there
a. Goals (things you can control)
b. Objectives (things you cant control but hope for)
Conclusion
Make sure your plan takes soul/eternity into consideration
a. Gain Christ (that I may gain Christ v. 8)
b. Know Christ (I want to know Christ v. 10)
c. Become like Christ (becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the
resurrection from the dead v. 10b-11)
SERMON TITLE #6:
The Treasure of Leaving a Legacy
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
THEME: The satisfaction of a positive legacy that impacts
the world and infuences those you love.
Introduction
Talk about inheritances; examples of heirlooms
Everyone wants to be remembered. Everyone wants to leave a legacy of some kind. Question is, whether
we are building the legacy we want to leave
Video clip: The Ultimate Life (1:32-10-1:34:21, ending You still got time, Red)
1. Consider the example you are setting (3:10-11)
2. Choose what and whom you will invest in (4:1-5)
3. Continue with the end in mind (4:6-8)
a. Fight
b. Finish
c. Keep
Conclusion
As Hamilton told Red, Youve still got time.
Now is the time.Now is the day (2 Cor. 6:2)salvation/commitment appeal
Now your church can use the biblical values and truths in The Ultimate Life, the inspiring movie sequel
to The Ultimate Gift, to help reach families in your community with the message
that God wants you to livethe ultimate life.
Centered around the topics of thankfulness, stewardship, contentment, relationships, purpose and legacy
The Ultimate Life 4-6 week sermon series and DVD-based study is the perfect series for the weeks leading
up to and between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
THIS NOVEMBER LAUNCH A SERMON SERIES
AND SMALL GROUPS TO HELP PREPARE YOUR
CHURCH FOR THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS!
FREE DOWNLOADABLE SERMON SERIES AT
OUTREACH.COM/ULTIMATELIFE
34 Outreach 800.991.6011
SHOW THE ULTIMATE GIFT IN YOUR CHURCH THIS WINTER!
Based on Jim Stovalls best-selling novel and starring Abigail Breslin, James Garner and Drew Fuller, The Ultimate Gift
has captivated millions with its stirring story of discovering what truly matters.
Red Stevens was a self-made man who gave his family everythingand ruined them in the process. Now, as his estate
of mega-companies is divided among greedy and self-serving relatives, his grandson is singled out for a chance to
discover the real meaning of wealth. Trust-fund baby Jason Stevens loves all of lifes gifts, as long as theyre bankable.
Now hes being offered a crash course on life, a journey of self-discovery that will help him chooseand live out
whats really important.
Open important dialogue in your church and community about what matters most in life. The Ultimate Gift flm provides
many doors to open spiritual discussions. Use The Ultimate Gift as a community outreach or in small groups.
THE ULTIMATE LIFE DVD-BASED STUDY KIT
The Ultimate Life DVD-Based Study is a six-week journey to
help individuals or small groups discover what matters most
in life. Based on the movie, The Ultimate Life, this powerful
study will give you keen insights into biblical priorities, help
you live the kind of life God has planned for you and inspire
you to pursue the things that are worth more than money.
Kit includes:
Video clips from the movie for each session of the study
Study Guide for individuals and small group members
Small group Leader's Guide
Sermon Outlines for church leaders
KT1582471 $24.99 (List $34.99)
Available to ship October 11
THE ULTIMATE LIFE STUDY GUIDE
The study guide shows users how to live
the life God intended for them to have.
Includes discussion questions and a
weekly activity. Each small group member
will need a study guide.
GG1582463 $8.99 each (List $10.99)
GG1582419 $79.90/Pack of 10
Available to ship October 11
Digital Movie License
The Ultimate Gift Movie License includes just what
you need to legally show The Ultimate Gift movie at
your church, including:
An annual The Ultimate Gift Movie License
for 1 location
Digital Movie Event Planning Guide
Digital Resources including Bulletin Inserts
$99 for 1 year License
VISIT OUTREACH.COM/ULTIMATELIFE TO SEE BANNERS AND INVITATION TOOLS.
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