January 26, 2020

SO MUCH MORE: BEING FAITHFUL
January 26, 2020
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

Do you ever commit yourself to do a task, a short-term commitment, or a project, only to find yourself with a mediocre follow-through? Does it really bum you out? Can you share how you feel when you know you’re not giving your best?

Open: Our series, So Much More, has been an intense examination of the depth of our commitment to see that we are trusting God for his promise to do “so much more than we can ask or think.” To that end, many in our church have been on a 21-day fast, ending Sunday, February 2, 2020. If you are one of those fasting, what have you seen happen that shows you God is pleased with your effort? Are you praying for God to do amazing things in your life? He is never limited except in our lack of faith. Today we will look at the rewards of being faithful every day.

Key Verse: Ephesians 3:20: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”

Focal Passages: 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 2 Corinthians 9:7-9.

I. The Struggle to be Grateful [can be thwarted if we have:]

GREED. We all know people who are greedy—we just THINK WE DON’T   

STRUGGLE OURSELVES.

  Read 1 Timothy 6:17a. Paul gives words of warning to those who are rich

  in the world’s goods; what are the two areas that are possible pits?

          • Read Matt. 7:2-4. Why is it so much easier to see a sin in someone else’s life than to recognize the same sin in our own? How can greed destroy us?

DOUBT. Will God really TAKE CARE OF ALL OF MY NEEDS?

          • Read 1 Tim. 6:17b. Why is it easier to trust God for our salvation, than for our day-to-day needs here on earth?
          • What are some very real “needs” that we might struggle over with our faith? How often does God wait until the last minute to give an answer? What might be His reason?

COMFORT. We think WE’VE DONE ENOUGH TO FOCUS ON OURSELF

          • What happens when we hold on so tightly to our possessions that life becomes “all about us”? Is it true that a tight fist can’t receive more gifts? Why?
          • Read verses 18-19. How does God expect money to be used? (Vs. 19): How will a generous lifestyle result in blessings?

II. Our RESPONSIBILITY to be Faithful

It all BELONGS TO GOD

          • Read Psalm 89:11. Who owns everything? If we believe this, how will we handle our possessions?
          • Read 1 Corinthians 4:2. What are the duties of a steward? How is that like today’s banker, investment firm or treasurer? Why must the person be trustworthy with another person’s assets?

WE belong to God

          • Read Ephesians 2:10. What responsibility do we have toward God, as we are His creation?
          • What were we created for?

OUR STUFF belongs to God

          • Read 1Chron. 29:16. David knew Who owned all of his possessions. How will we “love our neighbor” if we believe our stuff belongs to God?                                                                
          • Read James 2:15-16. What point was James trying to make in these verses?

Our HOPE comes from God

          • What is the Biblical meaning of the word HOPE? (A sure thing, a certainty).
          • Read 1 Thess. 2:9. What are some of the things we wait for, as Christians?
          • Read 1 Cor. 15:19. Why is Paul’s statement true?

III. Our response to God [while being Faithful in our giving]:

Give ABUNDANTLY

          • Read 2 Cor. 9:7. How does God view the person who gives abundantly?
          • Read verses 8-9. What is promised the generous person?

Give REGULARLY

          • Read 1 Cor. 16:2. Paul was not speaking of tithing here, but the habit was a good one to form; what did he tell the church?

Give JOYFULLY

          • Re-read 2 Cor. 9:7b. How did we say God desires for us to give?

IV. Our ACCOUNTABILITY in being Faithful: 

We are accountable to OURSELVES                                                                 

          • Read 2 Tim. 2:15. What are some things we are to do, to use our time wisely?
          • Read Eph. 5:15-16. What did Paul mean by ‘redeeming the time’?

We are accountable for OUR POSSESSIONS

          • Read Luke 6:27-38. This is a long passage, but very important if we truly love people as God does! It is difficult to do. What does Jesus tell us?

We are accountable for OUR TIME

          • Read Proverbs 22:13. What excuse will a lazy person use to get out of work?
          • Read Psalm 101:3. What would be some things that would fit in this verse?Are they things that can take up our time, but fill our minds with worldly values?

We are accountable for OUR GIFTS

          • Read Matthew 13:12 and 25:29 (Parable of Ten Talents). Does Jesus leave any doubt that we are to be good stewards of those things God has given us?

Close:

We as a church are anticipating the service next Sunday, February 1, as we excitedly look forward to stories of what God has done in our midst while fasting the past two weeks, and continuing this week! Many are already sharing testimonies that have proven a breakthrough after months—or years—of praying. God definitely listens as His people take fasting and prayer seriously.

As a church, we covenanted to pray for a 10% increase in salvations. The numbers themselves are not the focus, but each number represents the soul of someone who becomes a believer in Jesus Christ—and as such, their “number” is important. Prayers for an increase of 10% in baptisms is another number that represents persons who will be trusting God with their lives. The 10% increase in involvement in Life Groups tells our church leaders that people want to put their faith to work by loving their neighbors: it may be in areas of life where old hurts need to be healed, where gifts can be used to help the community (construction, children, etc.), where illness has taken a toll on families—there’s no end to the different groups available to meet needs. If we don’t have the group, we’ll form it! Each life group represents people who have a need meeting with people who know how to help them. They are definitely Faith in Action. Serving our community and world is another area where we want to see a 10% growth—again, the result of hearts who are willing to get involved and get hands dirty in meeting needs. And lastly, we’re praying for a 10% increase in our giving, not because we are focused on money, but giving our resources enables our church to send out teams both in our community and state, as well as nationwide and worldwide. Meeting the needs of people is the focus of our church, and introducing them to Jesus Christ, and His gift of eternal life, is the beginning.

Are you willing to be a part of such an invigorated church? If you are not local to Lynchburg, VA, perhaps God is calling you to let Him begin to do SO MUCH MORE THAN YOU CAN ASK OR THINK in your own community, wherever you live!