Whose Body Is It?

Galatians 5:1 & 13-26

This is an extremely difficult subject, while at the same time being an extremely easy subject. There were Jewish converts in Galatia who were teaching that salvation was possible only for those who kept the Old Testament laws. Using circumcision as an example of a clear command of God, their argument was that in order to be a “real” Christian, one must keep all of the Law. Paul's answer, although it takes five chapters of argument, is basically that we are free of the Law ... we're free of it!

Creation: Who Cares?

Psalm 8

Romans 8:18-25
This sermon was preceded by a Creation Walk
Read my Creation Walk Booklet here

At the beginning of our teaching series on Partnership, we went back to the beginning and were reminded that "In the beginning" God created human beings, male and female "in His own image" and placed them in His newly created earth, giving to them the command ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ We looked at the language of humans having dominion over nature and saw that that should be exercised for the good of creation, not the selfish destruction of nature. Yes, the dominion given to humans in Genesis 1:26-29 does imply a human preeminence, and that theme is echoed in Psalm 8 but it opposes a theology of domination 

Bible Studies on Stewardship of Money

Stewardship of Money 

John Wesley — the Use of money
Aim of the lesson:
•   To study some implications of the stewardship of money.
Study passage: Luke 16:1-13
Introductory exercise:
Are group members intelligently informed about your congregation's budget needs? Why not allow 10 minutes for someone (e.g. Treasurer or minister) to explain how church finances work.
Notes:
•    A precious gift. Wesley's famous sermon on The Use of Money was preached to Methodists whose industry and thrift were already bringing them wealth. He makes it clear that it is not money, but the love of money, which is the root of all evil. "The fault", he says, "does not lie in the money, but in them that use it." In another sermon he speaks of "that precious talent which contains all the rest — money." He pronounces it "unspeakably precious if we are wise and faithful stewards of it."
•   Three Rules. Wesley reduced his instructions for the use of money to three plain rules, and claimed that by keeping them we prove ourselves to be faithful stewards of God's bounty. The rules are: Gain all you can; save all you can; give all you can.
•    Gain all you can. Methodists were to work diligently and to trade intelligently — but not to the extent of damaging their health. They were to engage in no "sinful trade", contrary to the laws of God or the country. They were forbidden to "rob the king of his customs"; today's equivalent would be to evade paying taxes. There was to be "no cheating or lying, or whatever is not consistent with a good conscience." They were to avoid unfair competition, which would damage their neighbor’s trade. They were also to avoid selling anything that might impair health. Gaining all one could was to be achieved only by honest industry.
•   Save all you can. This does not refer to building up a huge bank account, but was to be done by avoiding all expense that was not absolutely necessary. So Wesley cautions against expensive goods, needless ornaments, superfluous clothing and furniture, even "elegant rather than useful gardens". He also cautions against spoiling children with more money than necessity requires, maintaining that this is simply to put temptation in their way. Children should be educated in the right use of money and be taught not to squander it.
•    Give all you can. In giving all we can, we must provide first for the reasonable needs of our own families and dependants, and if there is anything over, we must "do good to them that are of the household of faith", and if there is anything still left, "do good to all men". "All that is laid out in this manner", says Wesley, "is really given to God." And this is as it should be, for Wesley maintained that all goods, including money, are God's sole property, and that we are but stewards of His bounty. In Wesley's own words: "Render unto God, not a tenth, not a third, not a half, but all that is God's, be it more or less; by employing it all ... in such a manner, that you may give a good account of your stewardship."
•    Wesley's own life squared with his teaching. It has been pointed out that the sales of Wesley's published works alone were enough to make him a rich man, but he never spent more than 30 pounds a year on his personal needs. Yet in a single year he gave away 1400 pounds, "through his brethren, the poor".

Questions for discussion:
1.  Examine the study passage. Is what Wesley taught consistent with it?
2.   Is Wesley's teaching in conflict with the traditional idea of the tithe?
3.   Wesley told his preachers: "You have nothing to do but save souls." Isn't he then being inconsistent in preaching on the use of money?
4.   What do you make of the three rules?
5.   Should a Christian with money to spare, give first to the Church and to the Christian poor, and only after that to needs in the outside world?
Something to do:
To what extent are you honestly "giving all you can"? Think about this and if necessary, do something about it.

Stewardship of Money 2

Giving in the Old Testament
Aim of the lesson:
• To examine some of the principles of giving in the Old Testament and see what we can learn about our giving as Christians.
Study passage: Deuteronomy 26:1-15.
Notes:
• The first-fruits. In Old Testament times it was the practice to bring the first part of the harvest and the first-born animals to God (vs 2, Deut 15:19, Ex 23:16). Because the Jews had a strong belief that God was the Creator, all living things, vegetable, animal and human belonged to Him. It was therefore necessary to offer the first of these things back to Him to acknowledge His ownership of them. The person was then free to use the rest of them with His blessing. It was also believed that if they were faithful in this regard God would bless the rest of the crop with abundance. As Christians do we tend to give God the left-overs rather than the 'first-fruits'?
Note: In the New Testament the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit are sometimes spoken of as the 'first-fruits' of God's grace (Rom 8:23, 11:16, I Cor 15:20, Jas 1:18, Rev 14:4).
• Tithing. The normal standard of giving in the Old Testament was a tenth of one's crops, produce, live-stock, income etc (vs 12, Deut 14:22, Gen 28:22). In return God promised to bless the giver with plenty (vs 15, Mai 3:10). Every third year the tithe was given entirely to the poor and the Levites (priests), who had received no inheritance when the Promised Land was divided among the twelve tribes (Deut 14:28-29, Josh 18:7). For convenience people could give money instead of produce, but then they had to give one fifth extra (Lev 27:30-31).
• Proportional giving. Giving in proportion to the blessings one had received from God is mentioned in the Old Testament but does not seem to have been widely practiced (Deut 16:10, 16). This seems to be more in keeping with what Jesus taught about giving (Mk 12:41-44).
• Sacrifice. There were many different types of sacrifice in the Old Testament, but the common purpose behind all of them was to honour God, and in return to receive a blessing from Him. It might be to give thanks or remember some great act of God. It might be to receive forgiveness of sins, to restore fellowship with Him, or for good crops. An important assumption of all sacrifice was that, for the person making it, it had to cost them something (2 Sam 24:24). It meant giving up something precious for God. Today we no longer need to make sacrifices of this sort because Christ is our once-for-all sacrifice (Heb 7:27). But our giving to God still needs to reflect something of the costliness of Old Testament sacrifice.
• Giving the best. An offering had to be without blemish or defect because only the best was good enough for God (Deut 15:21).
• Thanksgiving. At the heart of all worship in the Old Testament (and the New Testament) was gratitude for God's blessings and goodness. It was as a sign of this thanksgiving that people were to bring their gifts and care for the needs of the poor. In the same way our giving to God must always be done in a spirit of thanksgiving, and it must be an essential part of our worship.

Questions for discussion:
Deut 26:1-15
1.  What lessons can we as Christians learn from the principles of Old Testament giving referred to above (a) the first-fruits (b) the tithe (c) proportional giving (d) sacrifice (e) giving the best (f) thanksgiving?
2.  What are the most important standards of Christian giving?
3.  Why do Christians give to God? What are we to give Him?

Stewardship of Money 3

Christian Giving
Aim of the lesson:
• To examine our giving to the work of God in the light of Paul's teaching. Daily Readings: Sun: 2 Cor 9:1-15; Mon: Mk 12:41-44; Tue: 2 Sam 24:18-25; Wed: Mai 13:6-12; Thu: Lk 19:11-27; Fri: Acts 27:27-44; Sat: Acts 28:1-30.
Study Passage: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15.
Notes:
•  Background. In New Testament times at least two great famines affected the Roman Empire. During the first the Christians in Antioch decided to take a collection for the Christians in Judea, who were suffering more than most. They gave, each one as much as he or she could, and sent their gifts by the hands of Paul and Barnabas and the church elders (Acts 11:27-30). This was the first recorded example of Christian famine relief that we know of where Christians in one area got together to help the needy in another area. The same thing happened about twelve years later, and this event provides the background to our study-passage. In his instructions to the Christians in Corinth Paul teaches us several things about giving.
• Verses 1-4. Paul was not afraid to encourage a spirit of healthy competition. He told the Macedonian churches how well the Corinthian church gave, and he now urges the Corinthians not to let him down.
• Verse 5. When we give to God's work, or to the needy (which is the same thing, Mt 25:40) it should be done willingly and with a good heart (vs 7).
• Verse 6. We must give generously and not sparingly. Tithing, giving one tenth of what we receive back to God, is a well established biblical principle of giving (Mai 3:10) But truly speaking there should be no limits to how much a Christian is prepared to give to God, because we have acknowledged that everything we have belongs to Him anyway. If we sow sparingly we will reap in the same way. We should give in proportion to what we get. There should be no uniform assessments.
• Verse 7. Giving demands a purpose and a plan (1 Cor 16:2). We should make up our minds before-hand what we intend to give and carry out our purpose reverently and faithfully. Some people make promises but are very slow to carry them out. Our giving should be a sacred pledge. Being systematic also means we will keep an accurate account of our income and what we spend.
• Verses 8-14. The Old Testament often promises that if we give God will return our gifts to us with interest (Deut 15:10, 24:19). Paul however does not teach that we should 'give in order to get' from God. He says we should give freely and even recklessly, without hope of reward, trusting that God will meet our own needs (Phil 4:19). He might not bless us with material things but we will certainly receive spiritual graces; ability to do more good works and give more freely; the enlargement of our heart and soul; the increase of our love and devotion; greater joy and satisfaction. But more than this, those who receive our gifts will give thanks for us, and hopefully also give thanks and praise to God.
• Verse 15. No giving can be adequate return for the wonderful gift of God. The old Israelites were urged to give because God had rescued them from Egypt. Christians give because they have been saved by the precious blood of Jesus.

Questions for discussion:
2 Cor 9:1-15.
1.  Christians are asked to give to the work of God. What is the 'Work of God'? To what should we give? Why?
2.  Jesus said it was more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). What do you think He meant?
3.  How and what should Christians give?
4.  How can we be more systematic in our giving (a) as individuals, (b) as a congregation?
Group exercise:
Decide as a group on a project or a specific need to which you would like to give and make the necessary plans to do so. Later on, assess what you have done.
Something to do:
Spend time this week examining your own giving. Write down on paper what you are actually giving. How much do you receive each month, or each week? How does what you give compare with what you receive? What is God saying to you?

Stewardship of Money 4

Tithing
Aim of the lesson:
•   General aim: Understanding Christian giving.
•   Understanding the biblical principle of tithing.
Study passages: Mal 3: 6-12, Mark 12: 41-44.
Notes:
•   Tithing. When Abraham was successful in battle, he gave a tenth of his possessions to the priest Melchizedek (Gen 14: 17-20). When Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching up to heaven he had such a deep sense of the power and presence of God that he called the place Bethel (house of God), set up a memorial stone, and promised to give Him a tenth of his possessions and the increase of his possessions (Gen 28: 20-22). Tithing, giving a tenth of our income to God, is the biblical standard of giving and He promises that if we are faithful in this, He will bless us (Lev 27: 30, Deut 14: 22-29, 12: 6, 11, Neh 13: 5, Mai 3: 8-10, Heb 1: 5).
• Jesus accepted the principle of tithing but He stressed that our giving should come from a pure heart. He condemned those who tithed in a legalistic way but whose lives did not show evidence of the more important aspects of the law such as justice, mercy and faithfulness (Mt 23: 23, Lk 18: 12).
•   Christian giving requires more than just giving a tenth. Jesus taught that tithing was a basic minimum for Christians and mat we only begin to give when we have given over and above our tithe. The first tenth belongs to God anyway. If we fail to give it to God, we have in fact stolen what rightfully belongs to Him (Mai 3: 8-9). We start to really give to God when we give out of our nine-tenths. For a Christian there really are no legalistic laws and limits. Like the widow, we should be prepared to give our all to Him (Mk 12: 41-44).
•   What can we give to God? We can give Him nothing that He has not given us in the first place, but there are three clear areas of our lives in which we must give:
- Our money. We must tithe our income to the work of God. The Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil (I Tim 6: 10) but also that we should be wise in putting it to work for God (Lk 16: 10-12).
- Our time is also a gift from God. We ought to make sure that at least a tenth of our time is devoted to Him.
- Our talents and gifts. Some are natural abilities, others are special gifts of the Spirit. God has many tasks to be done. He needs our talents and gifts, and we must ensure that they are consecrated to Him to be used in His service.
•   If we are faithful in giving, God promises to bless us (Mai 3: 10). We do not subscribe to the "prosperity gospel" preached by some churches these days, but there is clear teaching mat if we are faithful and obedient to God, He will supply all our need (Mt 6: 33, Phil 4: 19, Gal 6: 8-10).

Questions for discussion:
Mai 3: 6-12, Mark 12: 41-44.
1.   What insights come to you from the Malachi passage?
2.   In the Mark passage what differences can you find between the way in which the widow gave, and the way in which the rich people gave?
3.   Do you agree with the principle of tithing?
4.   Of what things is a Christian expected to tithe?
5.   Must our tithe be given to the Church or can we give it to the work of God in other ways?
6.   If we are faithful in giving, in what way can we expect God to supply our need?

Stewardship 8: Conclusion

This is the conclusion to our series on Stewardship, which we have seen over the last 8 weeks, is a very important aspect of the Christian life. Stewardship in a sense asks us:
How have we cared for and used the things that God has entrusted to us – the creation He has given us to live in, He often calls it a vineyard in the Scriptures, how have we, you and I, cared for it.
The time, the life He has blessed us with, how have we used it/are we using it/how will we use if from here onward.
The talents, gifts, abilities He has given us – uniquely blessed each one of us – how have we used our brains, eyes, hands, cooking ability, our high jump ability, our work ability, our particular Spiritual Gifts.
How are we blessing and taking care of the people that God has entrusted to us in our homes, our church, our streets, our workplaces.
And our money – are good stewards of that.
And I want to conclude this series with some suggestions regarding how to begin to be a better steward.
Wherever we are with regards to our role as stewards, with the grace of God, we can improve, can’t we?
I can… and you can too.
And the truth is that it’s very important that we do improve if we are serious about being disciples of Christ
.
I want to highlight a few verses from our Luke readings:

‘Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones” 16:10

‘Well done, you are a good steward! Since you were faithful in small mattes, I will put you in charge of large matters’ 19:17

‘Much is required from the person to whom much is given, much more is required from the person to whom much more is given’ 12:48

The principle that we see in there and in all scriptures is a simple and gracious one from God:
‘start off small, prove yourself faithful in small things and I will gradually entrust you with more.’

Let’s look at how this principle works in 3 areas of our lives – the area of : stewardship, sin and growing in holiness, giving of our money.

First an illustration – high jump – I hated it at school.
Jumping over a pole into a sandpit (we don’t have foam when I started school) I hated it.
But I noticed that the people who liked it didn’t start at the school record and try and jump over it.
They started low and gradually worked higher.
Proved themselves faithful in small things and gradually found grace/strength/ability – to reach higher/bigger things.
It’s the Biblical principle mentioned above which applies in all areas of life.
The same principle applied in something that I DID like – weightlifting. You don’t start off with the heaviest. You start off small and you add more as you grow.
It’s the biblical principle. Little bit, and more is entrusted to you.
And likewise when you can jump 6 feet, push 100kg’s, you are expected to. Then you don’t get away with 3feet or 50kg’s. To the one whom much more has been given, says Jesus, much more is expected. The Biblical Principle.

In the area of stewardship of creation, of your time, of your gifts and talents and abilities, of people, your family, your friends, the poor – in all these Satan’s temptation is… what possible difference can you make – so don’t even try.
In all the stewardship parables it is the steward who doesn't even try, the one who just gives back what he got with no interest, he's the one who gets the curse from the King… ‘bad and worthless steward/servant – go away’

In each of the areas we've looked at… start off, even today, somewhere ‘small’, and be faithful in the ‘small’ thing and see how God then helps you grow. Please.

In the area of sin and growing in personal holiness the same thing applies. Satan tempts us to believe ‘you’ll never change’ but God says ‘You can change’.
AA have a wonderful principle/motto: They say ‘one day at a time’. An alcoholic who doesn't drink anymore will never say ‘I’ll never drink again’ – he or she will say ‘I won’t drink today’.
And as they prove themselves faithful in small things,.... ie one day..... they suddenly find by God's grace they've been faithful in big things – suddenly it’s a week, a month, a year, a decade since they last drank.

In the area of sin in your life that grips you this morning, don’t say – I’ll never do that again, rather say ‘I won’t do that today’ and see how God gives you grace, gives you more and more power, and suddenly it’s been a few days, or a week,.... etc.
As you tackle sin in this way, you’ll find you are growing in holiness – one day at a time.

Finally, in the area of giving of your money; we've heard of tithing, and of offering and of giving sacrificially and sometimes, we don’t know where to start. All we do know is… God can’t have all ‘my’ money.

But the same ‘ weightlifting and high jump’ principles apply.
If you’re not tithing yet, make that your goal, set yourself a time limit and begin today, this month, to give more, and add to your giving.

If you are already tithing, don’t sit back – add to your giving, you’ll remember that’s when it becomes an offering.

So we've looked at Stewardship over a number of weeks and in a number of different areas.
Why –because it is very very important.

It is in the context of Stewardship that we will one day hear the words I think we all long to hear from our LORD on that Great Day ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Come in, and share my Fathers Glory’

I want to hear those words on that day.

How about you?

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Stewardship 7: Stewardship of our Money

Stewardship of Money 

We all have quite strong feelings about our money, and for the most part we don’t like to be separated from it and we don’t like anyone else to lay claim to it and we don’t like anyone else telling us how we should use it.
We are sensitive about our money.
The Bible talks a great deal about money, and Jesus spoke a great deal about money.
He realized, I think, that the greatest competition He has in our lives is… money.
Not the devil… most of us don’t actively spend time pursuing the devil, but we spend a great deal of our time, energy, effort, planning,...... on money.
Money tempts us to believe that we have to have it, that we can’t live without it.
And so He says on one occasion ‘You cannot serve both God and money’ (older translations Mammon)
It’s one or the other that must have you.
The same principle applies in the stewardship of our money as has applied in our stewardship of everything else.
Everything belongs to God – everything is God's and He entrusts us with varying amounts.
As you read throughout the Old Testament, you’ll see that the people of God understood this.
So you’ll see when they had cattle or sheep, the first born of each cow/ewe did not become part of the herd but was sacrificed immediately to God.
You must understand that animals were their ‘money’. And in giving the first born back to God, they were in effect saying – it is Yours.
And God in effect said to them – I only want the first born, the rest of the offspring are yours to keep. And that was good news.
The people of God demonstrated their faithfulness by giving the first offspring of their livestock to God by giving it to the Temple.

Likewise, when they grew crops, the first fruits (you read that term often) were given to God.
The first grapes to ripen, olives, wheat, was harvested and given to God via the Temple.
God said the rest of the harvest was theirs, entrusted back to them by God because they had entrusted their first part to God.
The people of God loved acknowledging that everything belonged to God.
When they had children, God said:
‘Your firstborn son is mine’ but He didn’t want them to do child sacrifice like the religions around them, so He said they could sacrifice a prize animal instead.
All of this was to teach the people of God that “the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”.
At the end of the season 1/10th, what become known as the ‘tithe’, was given back to God via the Temple.
Again, the idea is everything is God's but in His grace, He only wants a tenth.
Isn’t that gracious. It’s such good news because instead of saying I want 10/10, He says ‘You can keep 9/10’ Isn’t that good news?!
When we think our money is ours, then the opposite kicks in, then we say ‘He wants 1/10!!!’ and the tithe is bad news for those who don’t know God.
Do you rejoice that 9/10 is yours or do you get angry that 1/10 is God's?
Is your money yours… or Gods?

And so we get to our reading from Malachi where God reminds us in verse 6 ‘I don’t change’
Somewhere else He says ‘I am the same yesterday, today and tomorrow’. It is good news to know our God doesn't change.
Is 1/10 of your money still God's, or has He changed His mind on this?
Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount ‘not the least point or smallest detail of the Law will be done away with – not until the end of all things’
Does God still require the tithe? And does he graciously still say 9/10 is ours?
Back to Malachi verse 7: ‘you’ve turned away from me’
This would have surprised them, because they still worshipped God, sang His praises, kept religious festivals, kept the Sabbath, prayed, studied the Torah/OT.
What do you mean ‘We’ve turned away from You?’
God goes on in verse 8 and says ‘You’re cheating me!’
‘What do you mean we’re cheating you, who would dare cheat God?’
And God answers: 8 and 9 – You are cheating me because you are not bringing me the full tithe and offering. I am competing with your money for your heart, and your money is winning. All I ask is the tenth to help my work on earth through the Temple/Church.

You are serving mammon and not God, and it is not possible for me to bless you when you choose to serve mammon............ therefore you are under a curse.
And it’s not that God is cursing them, it’s just that they are refusing to come under his blessing.
He doesn't reward us for tithing, He just blesses us and living under the blessing of God is a beautiful place to be.

Life is just different, it is abundant and full, when you live under the blessing of God – and remember people living under the blessing of God have all the things happen to them that others do – they get sick, they get cancer, they suffer great pain, they lose their jobs, people steal their possessions, ......these will all perhaps still happen, but they experience the blessing of God in the midst of their trials and tribulations, sufferings and persecutions.
They are blessed and they know it, regardless of their circumstances and that’s a beautiful place to be.
And so God says in vs 10 – Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things. 

Good things… the New Testament highlights what some of these good things are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control.
Do you give a 1/10 of your money to God, via the Temple, which is now the Church…
Satan will tempt you to think I’m preaching this because the Church ‘wants your money’ and that’s not the truth, the truth is I’m preaching for 2 reasons:
1 - It is the word of God and the command of God.
2 - I want you to experience God’s blessing; therefore I want to encourage you to tithe, to give to God through the Church 1/10 of your income.

If you are already giving a 1/10 I want to encourage you to give even more, because as we saw in the New Testament story of the poor widow with her 2 coins, God and Jesus just love a cheerful giver – she gives ‘all she had to live on’ says Jesus, and he doesn't say ‘What a silly women!’ No… He blesses her.
We don’t know much about her except she was poor. So quite possibly slept out on the street with an empty tummy,........... we don’t know. What we do know is she lived and slept knowing she was blessed by God.
So in love, in love, I want to plead with you:

Please consider and re-consider your giving to God through the Church. I promise you (but never mind me and my promises) God promises you – that you will never regret it.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen

Exam Prayer List

We are in the season (in South Africa) of year end examinations. This past Sunday (28 October) at our Coffee Service I preached on The Gospel and Exams and the service included a wonderful time of ministry in the Holy Spirit to the exam writers who came forward while we sang Whisper His Name. As part of our Stewardship series, part of which looked at Stewardship of People, we at Alberton Methodist Church have committed ourselves to intercede on behalf of these folk, and I ask any intercessors who follow my blog to please find time to pray as the Spirit leads for the folk below. In South Africa the matric exam is the school leaving examination and determines entry into tertiary education institutions such as colleges and universities. The list below the "matric" list is of folk writing other levels of school and tertiary level examinations.

If you would like to add anyone to this list, please forward names to exams@johnwesleyproject.com

Please pray for our Matriculants: 

Azra, Bianca Swartz, Bianca Schwarze,Brendan Menges, Bronwyn, Carina Gouvia, Cassandra Dunstan,Charlene, Clarissa Hanekom, Daniel Stevens, Danielle Jacobs, Doreen Karuzi, Greg Douglas, Hugo van der Merwe, Jacqueline Weitz, James Menney, Janine, Jared Heyl, Jarryd Irvine, James Menney, Jason Henderson, Jennifer-Lee Fabel, Jocelyn Pentz, Justin Lewis, Keenen Fisher, Kimberly Supra, Kyle Shear, Lebona Moekena, Lee-Anne Du Plessis, Louis de Kok, Matthew McEnroe, Matthew Moriarty, Matthew Shaer, Maxine Doque, Monica, Nikita Philips, Palesa Mashego, Rayno Lategaan, Rochelle De Costa, Rui Simones, Sashlin Govender, Selwyn, Sergio de Freitas, Sevonia Tandree, Shane Baker, Shaun de Beer, Simone Ledtlae, Stacy Bekker, Stephany Truscott, Tamsin Mary Matthew.

And for those writing other exams: 

Alex Domfe, Alexander, All prisoners writing exams, Alyssa,  Angelique, Andrew Empey, Anina Nel, Anmina, Ayanda Mkwananzi, Abigail Poole,  Bandile Nhlapo, Barry, Bianca Borrill, Binanca, Blaise Bondo, Brandon Acutt, Bronwyn, Buyisile Moyo, Candace Bennett, Candice Streek, Candice Wilsnach, Cassandra Weitsz, Chad Hutzinger, Charne, Chelsea Moses, Cheridene Danster, Christiaan Bezuidenhout,  Christine, Cindy Helena, Cody Moses, Conra Scott, Cornu Campher, Daniella, Danika Kunz, Danita, David, David Fabel, Dylan, Dylan Fisher, Elize, Gert, Isobelle, Itumeleng Matli, Janice Bruiners, Jared Heyl,  Jared Sadie, Jason, Jason Hennings, Jason Parry, Jason Tirant, Javiere, Jaydenen Lourens, Jeanine Edgar, Jessica, Jessica Watson, Jessica Putter, Johanna Watson, John Botes, Johnny, Jonathon Bouwer, Jordan, Joshua, Joyann Day, Julian Prinsloo, Kelly McNamee, Kathleen, Katy Harris, Kelan McElnea, Kerry, Kevin Downs, Kirsten, Kirsten Serrurier, Koena, Kutlu Masetle, Kyla,  Kyle Horn, Kyle MengesLauraine Opia, Laurice Barnes, Leane, Lemond Day, Lgana, Lulu Nhlapo, Mayco Brites, Meake Strydom, Melissa Acutt, Melissa Philips, Michaela, Michelle Pedro, Monica,  Monica Hedder, Nikita, Natasha Dixon, Nicolene van Niekerk, Nerine, Nicole, Nichole, Nicole Germishuizen , Nokukhanya Mathimba,Ntando Nhlapo, Olivia Guerini, Patrick Kasu, Rita Langhein, Riza Estologa, Roger, Rogerio Brites, Rozaan van As, Rudi Botha, Rueben, Ryan Tirant, Sakkie, Savannah Hristov, Sfiso Nhlapo, Shandre, Shelley Wilsnach, Sherilee, Simone Andre, Sky, Sophie Hristov, Stanley, Steffen Schwarze,  Tamara Petersen, Taneal, Tania,, Tatum Chemaly, Thabo Ferguson, Thabo Nhlapo, Thokozani Msimanga, Thoriso Chabedi, Tracey Hendry, Trent Bartrum, Vosloorus comprehensive school, Wendy Barnard, Yastil Sanjith, Kingsley Obeng, Dave Obeng junior. 

Stewardship 6: Stewardship of the Bible

Stewardship of the Bible 

Luke 4:14-21 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Text Verse

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and giving instruction for right living.”

Introduction

It is said that the average Christian home in the West has between 6 and 7 Bibles.

Take a moment to think about whether that is true of your home.

But here’s the sad thing… many Christians have never read the Bible! What does it mean to read a book… it means to start at the beginning and read from page 1 to the page which says: The End.

Over the years I’ve found that many people find this a daunting task… but… 3 pages a day and you’ve read the Bible in a year. 2 pages of the Old Testament and one of the New Testament – the Bible in a year.

This is a good book and the message today as we continue our series on Stewardship is this: read your Bible.

God has given us His word… surely as good stewards we should read it.

“All Scripture is inspired by God”

The word ‘inspired’ takes us right back to Genesis, to the beginning, where God created human beings from dust and then breathed into them, inspired them, and they came to life.

Friends, one of the reasons to read this inspired book as a book is because this inspired writing, inspires us! Reading the Bible as a book, not as a reference book, like an encyclopedia, but as a book, as a story…. Reading it like a book gives God a chance to breathe life into us… and who doesn't need that?

I think one of the things we forget is that the Bible is a story – it has a beginning, middle, and an end. It has a theme, one overriding theme which holds the whole story together, like any good theme does.

What is the theme of the Bible, the central thread holding everything together?

It is: The reign of God on earth.

First, through two people: Adam and Eve; but the story tells us how they didn't want the reign of God… and in their story we see our story, don’t we?

And as we read their story, which is our story, God breathes into our story.

And then we read on and see how things just got worse and worse in the world… Babel… and eventually the flood and a new start… and then God starting again with a couple, Abraham and Sarah, and growing them into a family, and a then a clan, and then a tribe, and then a nation, with Kings and Priests and Prophets  - and through all this story, the theme being the reign of God, but people refusing to embrace the reign of God, and in their story, we find our story and as we read their story, God breathes into our story.

Then we read of another new start, in Jesus, who proclaims the reign of God, the Kingdom of God as being ‘near’. And then we read of another new start, the birth of the Church, and we are reminded of our own birth into the Church and into the Kingdom and the reign of God in our lives or perhaps we are called to consider letting God reign in our lives.

Then as we read letters written to the early Church, God breathes through them and suddenly they are letters to us and we find ourselves in this story, which is His story becoming our story.

And then, we read on and find the end of the earth’s story and the end of the Church’s story and miraculously, what the end of our story will be.

This is a good book, as good stewards we should read it.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful"

Notice next how scripture describes scripture.

Can you see it in our text verse? Scripture is… useful. So… humble.

Useful for what?

1.   For teaching:

The Scriptures (Torah) teach us, informs us, and tell us about the reign of God in… the universe, in the world, in nations, in individuals, in us.

Scripture teaches us our history and even teaches us our future, and it’s a very useful teacher.

2.   For rebuking:

Yes, as we read this book we discover, especially through the Prophets, that the people of the earth, and the people who decide to submit to the reign of God, all these people, including you and me, often need to be rebuked. This is a strong word and it includes an element of discipline, an element of ‘you will submit’ to the reign of God. So in the New Testament it is used by Jesus often – He rebukes the wind and brings it into submission, He rebukes Satan, He rebukes the Pharisees and  teachers of the law, He rebukes disciples when they send children away, He rebukes Peter the Rock saying, “Get behind me Satan”. Godly rebuke is good for us.

As we read Gods story we see that Gods people don’t like Gods rebuke, but we see also, that that never stops Him from rebuking when necessary, just like a good parent.

3.   For correcting:

Where rebuke is pointing out error, correction is showing the right way. The Writings in Scripture (scripture is divided, even by Jesus, into the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings) show us the mind of Christ, they show us Godly wisdom.

Scripture shows us how to conform to Gods will and Gods way.

4.   Giving instruction for right living:

Where correction shows us how to think properly and wisely, instruction for right living shows us how to act properly. We are not just believers of the word, but doers of the word. We are called not only to have the mind of Christ, but to do the actions of Christ.

And the Scriptures are of course very useful for instructing us in the Jesus way. WWJD (remember the bracelet) – the Scriptures tell us and as we read them, God breathes the actions of Jesus into us and as long as we have breath, we do the actions of Jesus in the world around us.

In conclusion:

Notice why we need teaching, rebuking, correcting and instruction for right living… it is so that we can be properly equipped for every good work.

As we read the story of God's reign we see that salvation has always come to God's people through a faith, a belief that leads to actions, deeds or works.

Noah believed, and he showed his belief/faith by building the ark. Faith leads to actions, it’s how we see whether our faith is saving faith.

Abraham believes… and so acts by setting out on an amazing journey.

Moses believes… and acts.

The prostitute Rachel believes… and acts.

Joshua believes… and acts.

Samson believes… and acts.

David believes… and acts.

Many believers/has faith and acts.

Joseph believes… and acts.

John the Baptist believes… and acts.

Matthew, Peter, Saul believe and act.

You and I, as we read this good book, the story of God's reign, are invited to submit to God's reign, by believing and acting.

This is a good book, a useful book.

As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, we should read it, just like a book.

Amen.

Study Notes: Stewardship of the Bible

Stewardship of the Bible 

Aim of the lesson:

•    To encourage regular devotional reading of the Bible and give some pointers as to how to do it.

Study passage: Psalm 119:89-112

Notes:

·     The Bible is the soil from which all Christian faith grows. Who is God? Is there a Divine plan for the world? What is God's purpose for us? How should we live today? We cannot know these things ourselves. Only God can reveal them to us. There used to be a gramophone record label "His Master's Voice", and this is a good description of the Bible. In it we hear God's voice making known the Divine nature and will.

·     The purpose of reading the Bible. There are various reasons why we should read it:

-    To develop our relationship with God by coming to understand more of his mind, what things are truly important, how God works etc.

-    To meet with and get to know Jesus Christ, the Living Word (Jn 20:31).

-    To give God an opportunity to speak to us and guide us through the Holy Spirit.

-    To allow ourselves to become saturated with God's word. This will affect our thinking, enabling us to bear fruit for God, and helping us to be obedient to the teaching of Jesus (Jn 15:5-7, 2 Tim 3:16-17).

•    How to read the Bible

-    Be regular and disciplined. The Bible rewards those who "stick with it" Persistence is one of the essentials of all Christian living.

-    Read expectantly, believing that as we read God will meet with us and speak to us.

-    Come in reverence, for we are meeting with the living God.

-    Rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us and enable us to know God's will (Jn 16:13-14). (When we say God "speaks" to us we do not usually mean that we actually hear an audible voice, but rather that the Holy Spirit convicts us inwardly about truth, sin or duty.)

-    Allow sufficient time. Bible study cannot be rushed. We are told to "wait" on the Lord (Ps 27:13-14). Use the time as follows:

-    Read the passage slowly. Don't read too much at a time.

-    Think about it; allow the mind to grasp the meaning.

-    Where appropriate, use your imagination to picture the scene.

-    Ask what God is saying to you through the passage.

-    Ask how can I be obedient? What does God want me to do?

-    Keep a note book and write down special thoughts, commitments to be obedient etc.

·     If you are just setting out on this road and don't know where to start, begin in the New Testament with Luke and move on to Acts, John, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Ephesians. Daily Bible study notes can take you on from there. (See below)

·     Commentaries - Many good commentaries exist and can help us to interpret the meaning of the passage. Ask your minister or your local Christian bookshop to advise you. However, it is more important to actually read the Bible yourself, not just books about the Bible. The Holy Spirit guides us into the truth. Discover things for yourself at first-hand.

·     Daily Bible study notes - These are intended to help with personal daily Bible study. A passage will be given to read, followed by a page or so of devotional comment and explanation. Various series are available: again, your minister or nearest Christian bookshop will advise you.

·     Bible study in a group - We often learn more in a group than as individuals. An essential part of our Bible study is to meet in Christian fellowship, in our class meeting or home fellowship group (Heb 10.25). If you are not already part of such a group, make a serious effort to join one.

Questions for discussion:

1.      Have you ever had an occasion when you have felt that the Bible has really "spoken" to you? Share what happened and how you felt.

2.      What benefits does the Psalmist get from studying God's Word (see the study passage)?

3.      What special things do we notice about a person who has spent many years in faithful study of God's Word?

4.      How can we be more systematic and disciplined about reading the Bible? What problems do we experience?

5.      Why is it important to apply what we learn in our Bible study? 

Stewardship 5: Stewardship of our Bodies

 Stewardship of Our Bodies 

Galatians 5:1-26

At the Global Leadership Summit yesterday we were addressed by former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and she spoke of the "universality of freedom" and I couldn't help but think of the verses I knew I would be reading today: As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. ......But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.  She reminded us of the huge responsibility which comes with our freedom. 

In the context of Stewardship of our Bodies, we have tremendous freedom to use our various body parts as we please AND an enormous responsibility as Christians to use them in a God-glorifying manner. As a text verse I have chosen Romans 12:1 

So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him.

The Jewish people who first received this letter knew all about sacrifices. They were used to going to the Temple in Jerusalem (even from as far away as Rome) and making sacrifices.Taking the best bull or the best calf, or a perfect lamb and offering it at the Temple to be killed and burnt, becoming an offering that goes up to God.

Now Paul says: Offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Instead of finding a perfect bull, lamb ,dove… Offer yourself, your body… to God as you seek to live (and if necessary to die) for Him.

I think the call in this verse is to be willing to be living, crucified, Christs in the world, in Alberton.

To be a people who are prepared to be broken for the people around us… to be a people who are prepared to pour ourselves out… for the people around us.

People who look at our bodies and say: “This body is God's, it belongs to God, it is the house that God has given for my soul, my spirit, to live in.”

In this series we have looked at the fact that everything is God's: “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof”

We have seen that we should see ourselves as stewards rather than owners.

We are to see ourselves as stewards, not owners of creation.

Stewards not owners of our talents, abilities and gifts.

Stewards not owners of other people, especially of the poor.

Stewards not owners of ‘our’ time.

Today, our focus is our bodies: stewards not owners of our bodies.

How does God want me to use my tongue, heart, hand, feet, eyes, ears, my sexual organs?

Jesus sees the human body as so important that He put it on Himself in order to reveal himself and His Father to us.

He sees the body and it’s parts as so important that He says ‘If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off. If your eyes cause you to sin gouge them out’

Our bodies are essentially what causes us to sin. The sin of our bodies pollutes and corrupts our spirits which live in them and lead to the need for a persecuted, crucified Christ.

As we learn to be better stewards of our bodies, we will grow in personal holiness, that holiness with out which no one will see the Lord. What we are looking at today is all stuff we’ve heard before but lets’ hear it in the context of being good stewards of our bodies.

Lets begin with TONGUE:

Jas 1:26 ‘Do any of you think your are religious? If you do not control your tongue, your religion is worthless and you deceive yourself.” In a few words here, true religion is directly linked to the tongue.

Mat 12: 36 ^“You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account of every useless word you have ever spoken”  These are the very words of Jesus!

Psa 39:1 “I said, I will be careful about what I do and will not let my tongue make me sin;”

Is God speaking to you, to me, about stewardship of the tongue which He has asked us to look after on His behalf?

The HEART:

In Scripture, the physical heart is seen as the body part which controls desire and motive.

Jer 17:9 “Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed.”

Do you feel that way about your heart and, unlike Jeremiah, believe that only Jesus can bring the healing it requires?

Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

A good steward of the of the human heart will encourage God to do this often.

And Jesus then promises in Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

HANDS:

Proverbs 12:14 “From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things and the work of their hands bring them reward” 

Proverbs 12:24 ^“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” 

Acts 20:34-35 “You yourselves know that I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed. I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way we must help the weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus himself said, There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.” 

1 Thessalonians 4:11 “and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you”

These verses all speak to the Christian work ethic. We are called to labour and not to expect handouts; BUT, and this is an important but,

Proverbs 31:20 “She stretches our her hand to the poor; she reaches forth her hands to the needy.” 

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. ¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.”

Yes, we are called to work and not to expect handouts, but at the same time these hands are called to hand out and reach out to the (truly) poor who will always be in the land. The poor are one of Gods gifts to you and to me, but I will explain that a little later.

FEET:

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,  “Your God reigns!”

GO… GO… a good steward of God's feet will go and proclaim the mighty deeds of the God who owns the feet that go.

Psalm 119:101 “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.”

Don’t go down evil ways.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

God promises to guide the good steward's feet.

Romans 10:15 “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Paul remembering that it is via feet that the gospel is spread.

Ephesians 6:15 “and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” 

Part of the armour of God is the putting on to our feet the readiness to go out and proclaim the gospel of peace.

EYES:

Matthew 6:22-23 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

Proverbs 21:4 ^“Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”

Matthew 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart”

Be a good steward of the eyes God has lent to you.

EARS:

How should we use our ears in such a way that they bring glory to God?

Proverbs 21:13 “If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.”

I said earlier that the poor are  Gods gift to us, here you see why. Our reaction to their calls determines God's reaction to our calls.

2 Timothy 4:3”The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends.”

Many say we are living in these times, where people will go only to the place where they hear the kind of message they want to hear.

Romans 10:17 “So then, faith come from hearing the message and the message come through preaching Christ.”

It is through hearing the preaching of the crucified Christ and our becoming crucified Christs, living sacrifices, that faith comes to the world around us.

John 5:24 “I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me will have eternal life.”

The ear is so important in the grand scheme of things. Let’s be good stewards of our ears.

Some final stewardship advice regarding the ears:

Jas 1:19 “Remember this my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak"

SEXUAL EXPRESSION:

What does it mean to be a good steward of our sexuality? 

1 Cor 6:13 “The body is not to be used for sexual immorality, but to serve the Lord; and the Lord provides for the body.”

1 Cor 6:18 “Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

There’s the negative part regarding our sexuality, sexual immorality is out. But please remember this; sexual morality is in.

1 Cor 7:1-9 “Now, to deal with the matters you wrote about. A man does well not to marry. But because there is so much immorality, every man should have his own wife, and very woman should have her own husband. A man should fulfill his duty as a husband, and a woman should fulfill her duty as a wife, and each should satisfy the other's needs. A wife is not the master of her own body, but her husband is; in the same way a husband is not the master of his own body, but his wife is. Do not deny yourselves to each other, unless you first agree to do so for a while in order to spend your time in prayer; but then resume normal marital relations. In this way you will be kept from giving in to Satan's temptation because of your lack of self-control. I tell you this not as an order, but simply as permission. Actually I would prefer that all of you were as I am; but each one has a special gift from God, one person this gift, another one that gift. Now, to the unmarried and to the widows I say that it would be better for you to continue to live alone as I do. But if you cannot restrain your desires, go ahead and marry, it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”

Paul is saying here: HAVE SEX. As good stewards of our bodies, we should have good, moral sex. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But remember this, moral sex only takes place within the confines of Christian marriage.

Conclusion:

We are called to be good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Our bodies are part of the manifold grace which God has entrusted to us.

“So then my friends, because of Gods great mercy to us I appeal to you: offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to him”