MAY 31
Theme: 5G: God’s Great, Graceful, Gifted, Gatherers.
Caleb spoke on salvation, and shared justification, sanctification, glorification and changed it up a bit discerning it as the status, the process, the climax.
Esther spoke on Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Esther reminded us “ The Spirit is God’s Spirit, The Spirit IS God, and thus the gifts are God’s gifts.”
Phil spoke on Family 5G glory. Families are the primary building block for life on earth and eternity and that we can make family life a Biblical affirmation zone full of Godly, great, graceful, gifted gatherers.
Shona spoke on Identity. 5G ID. Our identity is in our name, our church vision, and ultimately in Jesus Christ,
Our topic today: Get on the gift trip: Stewardship
Maghan’s experience with stewardship
Poor grades in high-school, not the best in undergrad(failing statistics and having to take it over again) but getting into grad school and receiving the highest grades of my education career, and getting my master’s degree. This year, in just a couple of months, I will be finishing up the requirements that will allow me to get my license and be a LPC-MHSP: Licensed professional counselor with a mental health service provider designation.
(lack of stewardship) clients: I’ve seen client’s who, due to a number of reasons/circumstances, lack stewardship and therefore they find it difficult to manage their lives, such as finances, relationships, careers, loss, etc.
What is stewardship?
Blue letter bible: Specifically, the management, oversight, administration, of other’s property.
Holman Christian Dictionary: Utilizing and managing all resources God provides for the glory of God and the betterment of His creation.
We are given talents and expected to be active, and grow and do something with what God has given us.
Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19: 11-27
We read in both examples, the master has given servants varying amounts of money, of the servants that grew the money given to them, they were rewarded. The servant that did nothing with the money, citing fear for doing nothing, is reprimanded for doing nothing, and their money is actually given to the one who grew the wealth the most.
Luke 19:27: NLT: ‘Yes,’ the king replied, ‘and to those who use well what they are given, even more will be given. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.
Recognize that the scripture says “those who DO nothing”.
Proverbs 24: 33-34: Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
God calls us to be active participants in His plans and that we use well what He gives us.
Everything is given by God, and we are appointed to steward well. We are called to be God honoring, great, graceful, gifted, gathering stewards!
Deuteronomy 8:17: And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
So, if you were asking yourself “why should I pursue or think about stewardship?”, I hope you are inspired to think about it, to ask yourself not “why” but “how”.
It’s not a burden to be given gifts/talents, but a blessing and responsibility to be obedient to God’s purposes and plans for those gifts and talents, that they were given to further His Kingdom, to give Him glory, to show His power and mercy, and that when we steward well, we are fulfilling the Great Commission.
Being a steward
There is a saying “What if I fall? Oh, but darling, what if you fly?” Many people have fear when it comes to the gifts God has given us, as we saw in the Matthew/Luke parable, one man did nothing with his talent/money, why? because he was fearful.
We don’t have to be fearful, the Word gives us MANY examples of HOW we can be stewards, what that looks like, how God has called us to pursue stewardship.
Titus 1:7-9: For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
Titus 2:6-8: Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you
1 Corinthians 4:2: Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
1 Peter 4:10: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
Luke 16:10: One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
Genesis 2:15: The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Romans 12: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
James 1:12: Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
2 Tim 2: 14-16: Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
Ephesians 5:11: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Colossians 3:23-24: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Pursuing stewardship NOW!
When we become born-again, bible believing, New Creations, we are choosing the Lord’s will for our lives and choosing to be obedient to Him and in being in an active relationship with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit we are able to pursue God honoring management of the resources He has given.
John 14:23: Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.
1 John 3:24: The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us
We can also act out stewardship within our community.
1 Peter 4:10: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
the Church!
As the church, we are the people who should be representing to the world what stewardship is and how to do it well! As Shona shared last week, we are chosen by God!! We are chosen to go out and thrive!! To go out and disciple all nations. Our identity is in Christ Jesus (John 15:16), when we are actively living as new creation beings, we are to pursue developing what God has given us, for God’s glory and purpose.
1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
God wants us to fly, soaring on wings. God doesn't give us gifts for ourselves, but for His glory and He made us to find joy in using those gifts for his glory. We are God’s great, gifted, graceful gathering stewards, so we don’t need to be fearful in using the gifts God has given us, so we must steward our God-given gifts well!!
BID: Biblically Informed Decision
In what ways are you going to better steward your time, life, gifts? Let’s pray for the spirit of revelation and wisdom for identifying specific goals, challenges, needs. Let’s be God’s great gifted graceful gatherers and steward what he has given us well!!
Other helpful scriptures
Stewardship
Luke 12: 42-43: And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
Luke 16, stewardship.
1 Peter 4: 10-11 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Talents/gifts
Matthew 25: 14- 30. Parable of the talents. Being good stewards of what we have been given, being faithful with what we are provided. each one for the profit of all:
Galatians 6: 7-9. Sowing and reaping. When we sow in the Spirit, we receive everlasting life. We sow using the talents we have been given, it brings glory to God and we are BEING good stewards of what God has given us.
James 1:17: every good and perfect gift comes from God
Proverbs 22:29: those with skilled work will serve before kings
http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/Grady_Scott/talents.htm