Raising Your Trust Factor

January 30, 2009
Text: Genesis 22:9-14
Title: Raising Your Trust Factor
Author: Rodney Cundiff (Church of God Stewardship Ministries)

Thoughts:

When I focus on my finances, trusting God to be faithful to my family is essential to making right choices.  How does a person grow in faith to trust God completely?
I am especially moved by Abraham’s story and God’s faithfulness.  Abraham was imperfect, yet grew to trust God with everything.  So, how can I raise “The Trust Factor” in my life?

When I read the Bible and experience life, its truth and power refines the character of God in my life; while simultaneously illuminating the character of my Heavenly Father.  This enriches my personal relationship with God, and leads me to trust in His faithfulness.

Raising Your Trust Factor:

1.  Trust is Built on Authentic Relationship. Persons I trust the greatest, I hold closest to me.  Most authentic relationships are filled with consistent intimate communication.

2.  Refining and Revealing Character. James’ Epistle reminds me that character is refined in times of testing and obedience, while the character of God is revealed to me in those same moments.

3.  Over Time. Trust grows daily as the character of a person becomes known.  Trusting God is a process.  Over time, Abraham’s journey from Ur, where he offered his son as a sacrifice, resulted in Abraham’s immense trust in God’s faithfulness.

4.  Confirmation of What A Person or Thing Claims To Be or Say. Character is greater than words.  Believing God’s Word is important, and so is trusting in His character. If I trust His character, (who He is), I can then trust His promises.

“Trust is Built on Authentic Relationships, that Refine and Reveal Character Over Time, Which Confirms What A Person or Thing Claims To Be or Say.”

If I trust God’s character, I can believe He’ll be faithful.  Applying Abraham’s story and the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33 to my life, by seeking first the kingdom and God’s righteousness (character), all of my concerns will be taken care of, including finances.

Applications:

What is the biggest issue keeping me from trusting God with my finances?

What part of my character is being refined currently?

In what ways has my understanding of God changed over time?

Prayer:

Lord, help me to trust you more.  As I work daily at drawing closer to You, refine my character, so that I become more like You.  Reveal Your character, and love to me.  Help me to recognize Your faithfulness in my life.  Give me confidence in Your promises about my finances, and raise my trust level.  Amen.

Tithes: Meeting the Needs of Ministry

January 29, 2009
Text: Numbers 18:20-24; 1 Corinthians 9:8-12
Title: Tithes: Meeting the Needs of Ministry

Thoughts:

Few would argue of the importance of the minister and ministry of the Church. In His earthly farewell speech, Jesus clearly outlined the vision and mission of the Church (Mt 28:19-20). Without the ministers and ministry of the Church this vision cannot be properly fulfilled or implemented upon the earth.

Throughout Scripture the priest, ministers, and ministry have been of vital importance to the faith community. Beginning with Aaron, God set aside the Levites for the priestly ministry. Their only duty was to minister before the Lord on behalf of the people. Thus, God designated that the tithe received from the people would provide for the ministers.

In somewhat of a New Testament equivalent, Paul instructs the Corinthians that God has intended for the minister to have a right to share in the material blessings for his/her ministry. He writes, “If we have sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” (1 Cor. 9:11)

In all regards, ministry is drastically affected by the giving of the body. It not only allows the minister to be freely devoted to the study, proclamation, and teaching of the Word, but also allows for the funding of ministry outreaches, facilities, and endeavors. There is no entity upon earth that can function without the contribution of resources. Be it ministry or wall-street, resources must be committed in order for the entity to function.

In my life, tithing has never been a matter of Law vs. Grace or obligation vs. willing participation. For me tithing is the manner in which I…

1) Declare my faith and trust in God;
2) Declare God to be my Provider;
3) Open the avenues of God’s blessing in my life; and most importantly,
4) Partner with others to financially fund the ministry that changed my life.

In order to fulfill Christ’s commission, financial resources will be needed. I willingly partner with such an eternal purpose!

Application:

When you tithe, what is your heart? Willing participation or Obligation?

Can you see the manner in which God orchestrated the ministry and how its needs should be met?

Unfortunately, some have the thought process that “someone else is doing it” and the ministry suffers. Has this attitude ever affected you?

Prayer:

Father,

When I look through the Word, I see that You thought of everything. From the place in which the stars would land and how the water would come from the earth, You organized everything. Likewise, in Your magnificent wisdom, You have orchestrated that my worship would be a part of meeting the ministry’s needs. In that process I am blessed and have the opportunity to help spread Your name throughout the earth. Thank You for such a wonderful opportunity and the blessings it contains!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Church

I have been working on a sermon series on the Church. In my study I came across several creeds which contained powerful information concerning the “Church.” I decided to post a few of the quotations here. Food for thought…

From The Belgic Confession (A.D. 1561)

Article 27: Of the Catholic Christian Church

We believe and profess, one catholic or universal Church, which is an holy congregation, of true Christian believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by his blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost. This Church hath been from the beginning of the world, and will be to the end thereof; which is evident from this, that Christ is an eternal King, which, without subjects, cannot be. And this holy Church is preserved or supported by God, against the rage of the whole world; though she sometimes (for a while) appears very small, and in the eyes of men, to be reduced to nothing: as during the perilous reign of Ahab, the Lord reserved unto him seven thousand men, who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Furthermore, this holy Church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed over the whole world; and yet is joined and united with heart and will, by the power of faith, in one and the same spirit.

Article 28: That every one is bound to join himself to the true Church

We believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and that out of it there is no salvation, that no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought to withdraw himself, to live in a separate state from it; but that all men are in duty bound to join and unite themselves with it; maintaining the unity of the Church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof; bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them. And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is the duty of all believers, according to the word of God, to separate themselves from all those who do not belong to the Church, and to join themselves to this congregation, wheresoever God hath established it, even though the magistrates and edicts of princes were against it, yea, though they should suffer death or any other corporal punishment. Therefore all those, who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God.

Article 29: Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church

We believe, that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church. But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects, who call themselves the Church. The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin: in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself. With respect to those, who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians: namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Savior, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof. But this is not to be understood, as if there did not remain in them great infirmities; but they fight against them through the Spirit, all the days of their life, continually taking their refuge in the blood, death, passion and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, “in whom they have remission of sins, through faith in him.” As for the false Church, she ascribes more power and authority to herself and her ordinances than to the Word of God, and will not submit herself to the yoke of Christ. Neither does she administer the sacraments as appointed by Christ in his Word, but adds to and takes from them, as she thinks proper; she relieth more upon men than upon Christ; and persecutes those, who live holily according to the Word of God, and rebuke her for her errors, covetousness, and idolatry. These two Churches are easily known and distinguished from each other.

Tithes: Rebuking the Devourer

January 28, 2009
Text: Malachi 3:8-12
Title: Tithes: Rebuking the Devourer

Thoughts:

In my estimation there is probably no more frequently used scripture on tithes and offerings than Malachi 3. Sadly, this has both positive and negative connotations. As I worked through this passage this morning, I have sought to offer a biblical outline to the occurrences and realities of this passage.

Confronting Reality: In its original state, this prophecy was confronting the reality of Israel’s sin. They were “cursed with a curse” (v.9a). Living in the antithesis of what He had designed for their lives, God confronted Israel in order that they might get it right.

Condemnation: By definition, ‘condemnation’ means ‘to find (someone) guilty of a criminal act or wrong.’ In this case, God Himself has found the people guilty of robbery. “For you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!” (v.9b) “But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” (v.8b) Therefore, by definition God had condemned the people for their violations.

Change of Course: But like God, He gives the people an opportunity to redeem themselves. If they would but begin bringing their whole tithe into the storehouse, He would reverse the curse.

Consequences: Upon their correction, God lists a massive amount of consequences (good) that would begin to flow upon their obedience.
~ there will be food in My house: The needs of the priest and ministry would be met.
~ I will open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing until it overflows: all manners of blessings, e.g. health, peace, protection, finances, etc.
~ I will rebuke the devourer: the pests and plights of their crops (livelihood) would be rebuked
~ all nations will call you blessed: the people around them would see God’s blessings on them.
~ you shall be a delightful land: peace and joy would abound upon the earth.

Unfortunately, many cast off these words of the prophet, marking them as Old Testament Law. And, while we certainly walk in grace, I am challenged by valuing the words of other prophets (such as Jeremiah 29:11: “’For I know the plans I have for you.’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”), while disregarding those that involve my responsibility. Truly, God wants us to walk in the blessings of His Word and He beckons us here, “test Me now in this.” (v.10)

Application:

What are your experiences with Malachi 3? Positive or Negative? Walk in it or deny it?

At what point do we disregard the teachings of the Old Testament for the New Testament? Is there such a place?

Have you ‘tested’ the Lord in the area of your tithes and offerings? If so, what have you found? If not, why?

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for the many promises of Your word. Unfortunately, I am unaware and ignorant of so many. Today, You have reminded me of one area of obedience that has numerous consequences. At times I do not have the faith to really step out and test You. But I really want to live under the shadow of Your presence and blessings. Please guide me in Your truth in my finances and all other areas today.

In Jesus’ name. Amen..