Embracing God's Gifts: Joy, Obedience, and Prosperity
Summary
The sermon began with the pastor sharing the joyous news of recent conversions and emphasizing the importance of every Christian participating in the ministry of reconciliation and discipleship. The pastor then discussed the transient nature of life, comparing it to a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes. He highlighted the difference between saving and hoarding, using the example of Cain and Abel's offerings to illustrate this point. The pastor emphasized that offerings are not for God's benefit, but rather for the benefit of the giver, and when the principles of Firsts and Honor are followed, it leads to multiplication and blessings in return.
The pastor addressed the issue of prosperity and material possessions, countering the argument that preachers have too much by pointing out that Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. He humorously suggested that if that is the standard of prosperity, then we already have more than enough. The pastor reminded the congregation that it is only by God's mercy that they have the ability to work and create wealth, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing eternal treasures over earthly possessions.
The pastor also emphasized the importance of rejoicing in the midst of difficult circumstances, drawing from the example of the apostle Paul, who wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. He reminded the congregation that they have every reason to rejoice because they serve a good, kind, generous, and wonderful God. The pastor prayed for the release of any bondage and specifically addressed anger issues resulting from mistreatment, declaring freedom in Jesus' name.
The sermon concluded with the pastor emphasizing the importance of obeying God's word in order to experience His strength and blessings. He reminded the congregation that all blessings and prosperity come from God, as stated in Deuteronomy 8, and encouraged them not to forget the Lord who gives them the power to create wealth.
Key Takeaways:
- Every Christian has a role in the ministry of reconciliation and discipleship. This role involves spreading the gospel and nurturing new believers in their faith. It is a reminder of the collective responsibility of believers in the growth of the church ([12:45]).
- The difference between saving and hoarding is significant. The story of Cain and Abel's offerings illustrates this point, reminding believers that possessions are not truly theirs, but God's, and should be released when prompted by God ([24:30]).
- Prosperity and material possessions are gifts from God. It is only by God's mercy that individuals have the ability to work and create wealth. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the source of all blessings and prosperity ([36:15]).
- Rejoicing in the midst of difficult circumstances is a key aspect of Christian living. The example of the apostle Paul serves as a reminder that believers can find joy in any situation because they serve a good, kind, generous, and wonderful God ([48:50]).
- Obedience to God's word is crucial for experiencing His strength and blessings. All blessings and prosperity come from God, as stated in Deuteronomy 8. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God as the source of all blessings and prosperity ([59:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 5:1 - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
2. 1 John 3:2 - "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."
3. John 6:38 - "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 5:1, what does it mean to be justified through faith and to have peace with God?
2. What does 1 John 3:2 tell us about our identity as children of God and our future hope?
3. According to John 6:38, what was the purpose of Jesus coming down from heaven?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does being justified through faith, as mentioned in Romans 5:1, affect our daily lives and interactions with others?
2. In light of 1 John 3:2, how does knowing that we are children of God and that we will be like Christ when he appears influence our perspective on earthly possessions and prosperity?
3. How does Jesus' submission to the will of the Father in John 6:38 serve as a model for our own obedience to God's word?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you could have demonstrated peace with God through your actions. How could you have responded differently?
2. Considering 1 John 3:2, how can you shift your focus from earthly possessions to eternal treasures in your daily life this week?
3. In what specific area of your life do you find it challenging to submit to God's will, as Jesus did according to John 6:38? What is one step you can take towards obedience in this area?
4. Can you identify a specific instance in the past week where you hoarded instead of saved? How can you apply the principles of Firsts and Honor in this situation moving forward?
5. Think of a difficult circumstance you are currently facing. How can you choose to rejoice in this situation, following the example of the apostle Paul?
Devotional
Day 1: The Collective Responsibility in Church Growth
Every believer has a unique role in the ministry of reconciliation and discipleship. This role involves spreading the gospel and nurturing new believers in their faith. It is a reminder of the collective responsibility of believers in the growth of the church ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xCSQ-pYp5E&t=750s)).
1 Corinthians 12:27 - "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the ministry of reconciliation and discipleship in your church community? Can you identify one specific action you can take this week to support a new believer in their faith journey?
Day 2: The Divine Principle of Release
The difference between saving and hoarding is significant. The story of Cain and Abel's offerings illustrates this point, reminding believers that possessions are not truly theirs, but God's, and should be released when prompted by God ([24:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xCSQ-pYp5E&t=1455s)).
Proverbs 11:24 - "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want."
Reflection: Reflect on your attitude towards your possessions. Is there something you are holding onto that God is prompting you to release? How can you practice the principle of release this week?
Day 3: Recognizing God as the Source of Prosperity
Prosperity and material possessions are gifts from God. It is only by God's mercy that individuals have the ability to work and create wealth. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing God as the source of all blessings and prosperity ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xCSQ-pYp5E&t=2160s)).
Haggai 2:8 - "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts."
Reflection: How do you view your material possessions and wealth? How can you cultivate a mindset of gratitude and acknowledgment of God as the source of your prosperity?
Day 4: Rejoicing in Difficult Circumstances
Rejoicing in the midst of difficult circumstances is a key aspect of Christian living. The example of the apostle Paul serves as a reminder that believers can find joy in any situation because they serve a good, kind, generous, and wonderful God ([48:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xCSQ-pYp5E&t=2915s)).
James 1:2-3 - "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."
Reflection: What difficult circumstance are you currently facing? How can you find joy in this situation, knowing that you serve a good, kind, generous, and wonderful God?
Day 5: Obedience as the Pathway to Blessings
Obedience to God's word is crucial for experiencing His strength and blessings. All blessings and prosperity come from God, as stated in Deuteronomy 8. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God as the source of all blessings and prosperity ([59:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xCSQ-pYp5E&t=3555s)).
1 Samuel 15:22 - "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate obedience to God's word in your daily life? Can you identify one specific area where you need to align your actions with God's word to experience His blessings?
Quotes
1. "Don't give God your leftovers, don't give them what you have left, give God your best, put him first. First always represents best, even in the Bible." [01:49:20]
2. "Whatever wealth is produced, it was God that gave you the power to create that wealth." [01:44:53]
3. "The offering is not for God's good, it's for yours...when it's exercised, it yields multiplication back to you." [01:48:29]
4. "God shows himself strong through those who obey his word. When you obey, it's not you getting on your knees and asking God to show Himself strong to you. The way you show God is by obeying His word." [01:37:35]
5. "More than just Sunday Believers, we need to constantly be filling our hearts with the word." [01:11:03]
6. "For Freedom's sake, Christ has set you free. Do not be entangled again in the Yoke of bondage. That's why I hate religion, 'cause I ain't going back to bondage." [59:23]
7. "The tithe is not just 10%, it's the first 10%. It's before the mortgage, it's before your insurance, it's before your Netflix subscription gets automatically pulled from your bank account. It's the first 10%." [01:30:35]
8. "No church, no Christian is called to be an island unto themselves. The moment I hear somebody say I don't have to go to church, I am the church, I know they're in trouble. You're not submitted under anybody, and you think you can do everything on your own, and I guarantee you're not producing any fruit for the kingdom of God." [01:18:22]
9. "There is scientific law and there is spiritual law. Most of the time scientific law and spiritual law are very different, but there is one law that agrees on both sides, both scientifically and spiritually, and it's this one thing: cause and effect. In the same way that the natural world around us is subject to the law of cause and effect, you need to understand that the spiritual world that you cannot see with your natural eye is still subject to that same law."
10. "What you do with what comes first is a representation of what matters in your life."
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