Money, the Bible...and Me (Income)

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Recap of 2/21/10:
1. The Biblical teaching about income begins with work:
-Work was a part of creation before the Fall; Adams work was his service to God; the Fall made work more difficult (Genesis 2:15; 3:17-19)
-Work brings a sense of worth, accomplishment, and dignity but should not define who we are.
-Work brings the respect of our neighbors (1 Thessalonians 4:11,12)
-The Bible warns against idleness (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12)
2. Cautions concerning work and income:
-Beware of those schemes which promise a lot of return for a little work (Proverbs 29:20,22; 12:11)
-We must work diligently, not just talk a good game, planning but never getting anything done (Proverbs 22:13; 13:23; 28:19)
-We must work when it’s time to work (Proverbs 20:4; 21:25,26; 24:30-34)
-The Bible warns against defrauding an employer of our best effort (Ephesians 6:1,2; Colossians 3:22-24; Proverbs 10:26)
-The Bible warns against taking advantage of a Christian employer because they are a brother or sister in Christ (1 Timothy 6:1,2)

Money, the Bible...and Me (Principles, Cont.)

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Recap of 2/14/10:
1. “Money in a sense is life, because we spend all our lives getting it for the purposeof staying alive. Now money itself is amoral; it’s not good, and it’s not bad. But depending on how it is used, it either becomes good or bad. So money can cause either righteous or unrighteous ramifications in our lives. Thus, our concept of money becomes very important.” (John MacArthur).
2. Biblical Principles relating to money and possessions (continued from last week):
-We must learn to value those things which don’t have price tags (our reputation, Proverbs 22:1; wisdom, Proverbs 8:10,11; God’s blessings, Proverbs 10:22; our integrity, Proverbs 28:6).
-We must be unselfish with our resources (Proverbs 11:24,25; 28:22; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Ephesians 4:28)
3. Consequences of a wrong attitude toward money and possessions: God will not have first place as He should; we will value the things that lack true value; we will compromise character; we will live for the perishing; we will never be satisfied/content; we will not be faithful to God, will wind up serving the wrong master.
4. Questions to ask ourselves: What am I giving up in order to have more money/possessions (time with family; time serving the Lord and His people; time in worship and Bible study); Are my eyes/my goals focused on true riches?

Money, the Bible...and Me (Principles)

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Recap of 2/7/10:
1. “We are prone to paint the image of spirituality in colors of deep Bible knowledge, lengthy times of prayer, or prominence in the Lord’s work, which is not only deceiving but must be very discouraging to the average believer who can never envision these features as being a part of his life….But our love for God may be proved by something that is a major part of everyone’s life, and that is our use of money. How we use our money demonstrates the reality of our love for God.” (Dr. Charles Ryrie, Balancing the Christian Life, p. 84)
2. Biblical Principles relating to money and possessions:
-All is God’s/All is from God-we are stewards. 1 Corinthians 4:2,7; Deuteronomy 8:17,18; 1 Chronicles 29:10-17; Ecclesiastes 5:19.
-We must not love money, live for it, or put our trust in it. 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Matthew 6:24; Hebrews 13:5
-We must use our resources to further God’s purposes. Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
-We must learn to value those things that don’t have price tags: our relationship with God, Proverbs 15:16; our relationships with our mate, our children, one-another, Proverbs 15:17 (more principles to follow)

Caring About The Lost, Part 2

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Recap of 1/31/10:
1. Since God is vitally concerned with the salvation of sinners (Luke 15) we must seek out the lost in witness and evangelism.
2. Wrong assumptions about evangelism keep us from sharing our faith, such as:
-It all depends on me. It doesn’t. Evangelism is a supernatural work of God. Unbelievers are blinded by Satan to the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:1-6; John 16:8-11), therefore we must cooperate with God’s working in the unbelievers life.
-I must be able to answer every question a non-Christian may have. Not true. An unbeliever will appreciate your candor in admitting you don’t have any answer to everything but that you will find the answer for them.
-I must close the deal. Once again, not true. Our goal must be to move an unbelievers one step further along in the process.
3. A simple presentation of the gospel should include the following:
-Our problem: sin (Romans 3:23), death (separation from God-Romans 6:23); judgment (all who reject Christ will be judged-Hebrews 9:27).
-Good works are not the remedy (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5)
-God’s remedy: He sent His Son to die for us (Romans 5:8)
-Our response: We must receive Christ (believe in/put our trust in Him-John 1:12,13).

Caring About The Lost, Part 1

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Recap of 1/24/10:
1. Jesus’ desire to reach out to the hopeless, to sinners, brought Him into opposition with the religious leaders who had nothing but contempt for them. Jesus’ mission was to reach out to the lost (Luke 5:27-32; 19:10).
2. Jesus told three parables to refute the attitude of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law and to show God’s concern for the salvation of sinners; He told the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
3. God is the shepherd who looks for lost sheep; the creator whose image is stamped upon human being; and the father who waits and looks for the return of his lost son. The religious leaders in their self-righteousness didn’t see themselves as in need of salvation
4. “Jesus always saw the potential in people. The sheep could be brought back to the flock and bring joy to the shepherd; the coin could be found; and the son could return home and lovingly serve his father. There is hope for every sinner because Jesus welcomes everyone.” (Warren Wiersbe)

Lessons For The Religious, Part 3

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Recap of 1/17/10:
1. As Jesus dined at the home of a prominent Pharisee He addressed a third topic, being a respecter of persons, that is, interacting with people on the basis of their position, influence, social standing, or money. The Pharisees socialized and ministered on the basis of those who could repay them/do them some good, Jesus urges ministry to those who cannot repay or return the favor, by doing that His followers will lay up treasure in heaven. (James 2; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Matthew 6:19-21).
2. The last of the four topics Jesus deals with at this banquet is the issue of the importance of not rejecting His offer of the kingdom.
3. There are those today who reject Jesus’ offer of eternal life on the basis of flimsy excuses not unlike the ones offered in the parable (material things, business, relationships).
4. Commitments for the coming year based upon Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14:1-24. With the help of God (as I yield to the control of His Spirit):
-I will be more grace-oriented, merciful and loving
-I will stop competing with others for attention, being self-promoting
-I will not treat others on the basis of what they can do for me or the position they hold
-I will share my faith with others as God gives me opportunity

Lessons For The Religious, Part 2

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Recap of 1/10/10:
1. Jesus observes guests jockeying for positions of honor at a dinner given by a prominent Pharisee and takes the occasion to teach about the need for humility and the dangers of pride.
2. Pride is the “essential vice, the utmost evil,” according to C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity; more deadly than “unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness” which Lewis calls “mere fleabites” by comparison. Competition is at the heart of pride.
3. Humility is not thinking lowly of ourselves or putting ourselves down. Humility is taking a genuine interest in other people, not always focusing on ourselves.
4. The costs of pride are: it separates us from God (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34); it separates us from other people; it keeps us from spiritual growth; it keeps us from emotional growth; and it keeps us from contentment.

Lessons For The Religious

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Recap of 1/3/10:
1. In Luke 14:1-24 Jesus confronts the wrong thinking of the religious crowd of His day. He condemns their hypocrisy and empty ritual/habit/religious observance; instead He urges them to live mercifully, graciously, and freely. He condemns their pride/self-seeking attitude and urges them toward humility. He condemns their exploitation of others, their respect of persons and instead urges them toward generosity of nature and service, serving those who cannot pay them back. He condemns their excuses that keep them from salvation; they should respond to the message.
2. Jesus condemns their legalism. Legalism is an attempt to approach life’s issues without thinking and without love. There are seven dangers of a legalistic approach to life:
-the legalist treats people as objects
-replaces love with manmade rules
-majors on minors
-legalism has no power to deal with spiritual need (neither salvation or sanctification)
-cannot produce growth, instead it interferes with growth
-produces a false humility
-infects others with a false spirituality

Great Forgiveness, Great Love

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Recap of 12/27/09:
1. We can be devoted to service and causes in Jesus’ name but are we, in the words of Oswald Chambers, “personally, passionately devoted to Jesus Christ?” In Luke 7:36-50 we encounter a “sinful” woman who was just that, devoted to Jesus.
2. In Revelation 2 a charge is lodged against the church at Ephesus, though they were doctrinally sound and personally pure they had left their first love. Dr. John F. Walvoord writes in the Bible Knowledge Commentary: “Most of the Ephesians Christians were now second-generation believers, and though they had retained purity of doctrine and life and had maintained a high level of service, they were lacking in deep devotion to Christ. How the church today needs to heed this same warning, that orthodoxy and service are not enough. Christ wants believers’ hearts as well as their hands and heads.”
3. Great love for Jesus and others begins with a sense of our own sinfulness. Our goal must be to make others passionate lovers of Christ, not just those who tip their hats to Him. It was said of A. W. Tozer that he was always looking for those who would join the “fellowship of the burning heart.”
4. How we should love for Jesus: by treating Him, not as One to be manipulated to our purpose, but as One to adore; by sitting at His feet and listening to Him; by loving those He loved; and by being devoted first to Him, not to causes or service.

Christmas' Gift To Us

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Recap of 12/20/09:
1. Mary and Joseph were in the betrothal period when the angel Gabriel came to Mary. During the betrothal period a couple were pledged to each other, considered to be married, and would require a divorce to end the relationship. The betrothal period was customarily a year during which time the bride would continue to live in her parent’s home and the marriage would not be consummated. To be found pregnant during this period would be considered adultery. This was the situation that Mary (and Joseph) faced in light of the announcement by the angel of Mary’s coming pregnancy.
2. In Luke 1:26,27,34; 3:23 and in Matthew 1:16,18,23, Mary’s virginity is verified both explicitly and implicitly.
3. The virgin birth was essential to Jesus’ saving purpose; only as the God-man would His sacrifice be acceptable. He had to be human so that He could die and He had to be God so that His death meant something.
4. Mary (and Joseph) are examples of the life of faith and obedience to God’s will in the face of adversity, difficult circumstances, disgrace and humiliation.

Faithfulness & Fruitfulness

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Recap of 12/13/09:
1. The parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) deals with the time period between Jesus’ first and second comings. In four great lessons of life it lays out the priorities and responsibilities of believers for this church age and invites each of us as believers to see ourselves in the mirror of Scripture and evaluate our spiritual progress.
2. According to one author: “The [mina] represents the opportunity for service given each of [Jesus’] disciples.” (Gray)
3. Jesus taught four lessons of life in this parable:
-God had made an investment in us. He has given us gifts, abilities, opportunities, time and resources to be used for Him. We are to bear fruit.
-God will hold us accountable for the way we use these things. Jesus’ return will be a time of reward or loss of rewards for believers; and a time of judgment for unbelievers.
-Faithfulness is the standard God will judge us by. Faithfulness is the key to fruitfulness and success.
-This life id training for service in the Millennium Kingdom and in eternity.

Finishing Well (Part 3)

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Recap of 12/6/09:
1. After Jacob’s death, Joseph’s brothers fear retribution by Joseph against them. Joseph answers their fears with assurance of his forgiveness and of his faith in God’s providence: “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good….” (Genesis 50:19,20)
2. “What gave Joseph the grace to make this remarkable reply? There is only one answer: Joseph knew God. In particular, he knew two things about God. He knew that God is sovereign—that nothing ever comes into the life of any one of His children that He has not approved first; there are no accidents. And he knew that God is good—therefore, the things that come into our lives by God’s sovereignty are for our benefit (and for others’) and not for our harm.” (James Montgomery Boice)
3. At the heart of Joseph’s life is a profound truth, a hard truth, a sometimes incomprehensible truth: Hard things will happen to us (we live in a fallen world with fallen people like us); God is not surprised; and He is not unsympathetic. We can respond by faith or we can become bitter at God, at life, and at people.
4. Joseph illustrates some truths about forgiveness. We cannot forgive until we recognize and admit the offense against us (Joseph didn’t deny that his brothers meant to harm him); while we cling to the pain; while we look for someone to blame.

Finishing Well (Part 2)

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Recap of 11/29/09:
1. Jacob’s gives his final instructions to his sons in Genesis 49:29-32. Once again he demonstrates his faith in God’s word and shows that his hope was in Canaan (the land God promised Abraham, Isaac, and him) not in Egypt by instructing his sons to bury him there not in Egypt.
2. In his book, The Man in the Mirror, Patrick Morley shares keys to no regret parenting:
-we must give our kids the freedom to be kids-don’t expect them to be perfect; don’t expect them to be miniature adults; adjust expectations to their age and maturity level.
-we must protect them from the world, but remember the goal is protection, not isolation. Rather than withdrawing from the world we must teach them to evaluate the culture around them with discriminating Biblical wisdom and with respect.
-we must encourage them and not embitter them. (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21)
-we must spend time with them, there is no replacement for our time, our children need our presence not just our presents, our greatest success will be our family, not our career, success at home doesn’t preclude success on the job.
-we must pray for them

Finishing Well

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Recap of 11/15/09:
1. Jacob looks beyond the coming bondage in Egypt to the conquest and settlement of Canaan. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he evaluates each of his sons and their futures based on their character and decisions. His prophecies in Genesis 49 reach even to the Coming Messiah and His reign in the Millennium.
2. What becomes clear is that actions have consequences, even forgiven sin has practical consequences.
3. Out of adversity and out of suffering came victory and rest for Joseph and his tribe and extravagant blessing.
4. “So Jacob died after 147 years (47:28) of struggle; his sorrow came to an end. Infirmities, he had many; sins, not a few. But Jacob had an unquenchable desire for God’s blessing. He had a deep piety that habitually relied on God in spite of all else. In the end he died as a man of genuine faith. He learned in his life where the real blessings came from, and he fought with God and man to be privileged to hand them on to his sons.” (Dr. Allen Ross)

Last Words, Part 3

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Recap of 11/8/09:
1. “On Jacob’s tombstone, Joseph could have placed th words: ‘He worshipped.’ Years earlier, of course, ‘He deceived’ might have seemed more appropriate, but now that Jacob was almost a century-and-a –half old, he had come a long way with God. At the end of his life, one of his final acts was to worship the God he had both wrestled with and served.” (Chuck Swindoll)
2. In Jacob’s younger days he walked in the flesh (the sinful nature), now that he is older his spiritual growth is evident. He has become a man of faith.
3. Peter urges us Christians to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Growing spiritually, becoming spiritually mature, should be the natural state of the Christian man or woman.
4. A part of growing spiritually will be times of dryness/deadness in our spiritual walk (but if we persist God will bring times of refreshing and fruitfulness, Psalm 126:4-6); as well as times of suffering, that serve to “stamp out our personal ambitions” and “destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them,” according to Oswald Chambers.