Category: Stewardship

Raise Your Standard

12/1/2014

Scriture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Memory Verse: Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 2 Corinthians 8:11 (NIV)

1. Giving is an extension of grace! Verse 1, 4

Showing people God’s favor through material help.
It is a privilege of fellowship! Verse 4
Service to the Lord’s people: Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

2. Giving is not dependent upon wealth, but on Joy! Verse 2, 3

Joy is the prerequisite!
Severe Trial is no hindrance!
Means are not the measure of generosity!

3. Give yourself to God and others with excellence! Verse 5-10

God first and others second! Verse 5
Excel in every spiritual thing! Verse 7
Giving is a growth in spiritual grace! Verse 7
Giving is an excellent test of our love! Verses 8-10

a) Compare to others
b) Contrast with Christ

4. Giving is God’s way of providing for those who have less! Verses 11-15

Give from what God gives you, your means!
Don’t focus on your lack!
God isn’t burdening you by giving!
Equality is the goal!

Summary
1. Giving is an extension of grace! Verse 1, 4
2. Giving is not dependent upon wealth, but on Joy! Verse 2, 3
3. Give yourself to God and others with excellence! Verse 5-10
4. Giving is God’s way of providing for those who have less! Verses 11-15

SO WHAT?

What has God given you that He is asking you to give to someone else?
Put everything you own in God’s hands! Give yourself and your possessions to God!
Is there a person that God is leading your to serve through giving?

0 Comments

"How Much is Enough?”

11/24/2014

0 Comments

Scripture Reading: Malachi 3:2-10

Memory Verse:
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test Me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of Heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be enough room to store it.” Malachi 3:10

How much of the money that God gives to me should I give back to Him?

Give Enough!

1. The tithe is the starting place, any less is robbery!
A. Enough to Test God according to His promise! Verse 10
B. Enough to pass through the fire! Verses 2-4
C. Enough to end the sin of theft and avoid the curse associated with robbery!
D. Enough to accept the blessing of God! Verses 10-12
1) Provision from the storehouse of heaven for those who will give to the storehouse on earth!
2) Protection from disease and the devouring pests!
3) Perception: People will call you blessed
4) Permanent action! Be distinct in our lifestyle from the evildoers. Written in the scroll of remembrance! Verses 16,
18
5) Possession of God! You are His, your act of giving simply reveals that you belong to God and are His treasure!
Verse 17

2. Generous Grace-filled Giving is the Goal!
A. Enough to fulfill gracious commitment! Verse 5
B. Enough to provide for generous provision and abundant ministry! Verse 6, 8-10
C. Enough to be cheerful! Verse 7
D. Enough to be a source of blessing! Verses 11-14

Commit to test God and tithe!
Commit to express grace in your giving!

0 Comments

“Curing the Disease of Affluenza"

11/17/2014

0 Comments

Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:5-11; 17-19

Memory Verse: "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35

1. The temptations of wealth! Verses 9, 17

Wealth is not sinful in itself!

a. It is a source of temptation
b. It must be used appropriately
c. Can be enjoyed! Verse 17

Lure into Danger!

a. Temptation and Snares!
b. Foolish and harmful Desires!
c. Plunge people into ruin and destruction!

A Lesser Love that leads to many other sins!

a. Wander from the faith!
b. Pierced with many griefs!
c. Ignoring the needs of those around us!

Arrogance: Self-sufficiency, lacks gratitude and acknowledgment of the source of our supply

a. God richly supplies everything!

Idolatry: Dependence or trust in their wealth!

a. It is uncertain!
2. Solution to affluenza?

Pursue God and flee affluenza! Verse 11
Practice Contentment! Verses 7-8

a. You can’t take it with you!
b. You should be content with food and clothing!

Put your hope in God! Verse 17
Do good with your wealth! Verse 18

a. Be rich in good deeds
b. Generous! Excel at giving
c. Willing to share! Focus on the relational aspect of helping! The needs of others to whom you relate drive your use of money!

Focus on eternity! Verse 19

a. Lay up treasure there!
b. Establish a firm foundation there!

Take hold of real life! Verse 19

0 Comments

All To Jesus

10/28/2014

0 Comments

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:1-14
Memory Verse: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you
will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Sermon Notes:

God owns everything and I am His steward. My financial priorities should flow from the desires of my Master!

1. Donkeys, coats, cheers, trees, and crowds, ALL belong to Jesus! 21:1-22

He describes it! V. 2
He deserves it! V. 3
He uses it!
He needs it? V. 3
He declares it! V. 12-13
He defends it! V. 16
He dramatizes it! V. 19-20
He defines it! V. 21-22

2. By What Authority/who gave you this authority? 21:23-27

Jesus is challenged over it!
Jesus challenges back!
The issue of authority is settled in the heart of the hearer!
The sincerity and power of Jesus’ works, settles the issue of the source of His authority in our lives. If we trust his heart for us, then we can follow his commands.

3. Two parables about authority!