Embracing Transformation: Stewardship and Outreach in Faith
Summary
In my recent sermon, I focused on the core values that define our church's vision and mission. I emphasized the importance of spiritual transformation, outreach and evangelism, and stewardship. These values are not just abstract concepts but are deeply ingrained in the life and practice of our congregation.
Spiritual transformation is the heart of our church's purpose. It is through this transformation that we become more like Christ, which is God's primary calling for us. As we change, this transformation is manifested in our actions, particularly through outreach—reaching out and doing good in Jesus' name—and evangelism, which is sharing the good news about Jesus.
I then moved on to discuss stewardship, which I believe should have been the third and final value in our vision booklet. Stewardship is about managing what God has entrusted to us, whether it's our personal resources or the church's assets. I taught from 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, where Paul describes himself as a servant and steward of the mysteries of God, emphasizing that stewards must be found faithful.
I shared stories of individuals like William Carey, who invested their lives in things that matter, and our missions partners, Tim and Vanessa Ekno, who continue to serve despite significant personal challenges. Their examples inspire us to invest our lives in eternal matters rather than temporary successes.
I also addressed the practical aspects of stewardship within our church, including the need to maintain and improve our church property. This is not about materialism but about being faithful with what we have been given, ensuring that future generations have a place to worship and encounter God.
Finally, I called on each member of our congregation to actively participate in God's work, not as consumers of Christianity but as co-laborers. Our vision is to follow Jesus together, and this means being faithful in using our gifts and abilities for His kingdom.
Key Takeaways:
- Spiritual transformation is the process by which we become more like Christ, and it is the primary purpose of the church. As we undergo this transformation, it should naturally lead to actions that reflect Christ's love and message to the world. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and change. [32:06]
- Outreach and evangelism are the practical expressions of our transformation. When we reach out to others and share the gospel, we demonstrate the change that Christ has brought about in us. This is not just the responsibility of a few but the calling of every believer to be an ambassador for Christ in their daily lives. [32:43]
- Stewardship is about recognizing that everything we have belongs to God, and we are simply managers of His resources. This perspective shifts our focus from ownership to faithful management, encouraging us to use our time, talents, and treasures in ways that honor God and benefit others. [33:55]
- Generosity is a key aspect of stewardship. As we recognize that our resources are not our own, we are called to be generous, not out of obligation but out of a desire to participate in what God is doing in the world. Generosity breaks the cycle of materialism and aligns our hearts with God's priorities. [51:38]
- Faithfulness is the measure by which we will be judged and rewarded by God. It is not about comparison with others or the abundance of resources we have but about how we use what we have been given. Our unique circumstances and opportunities are known to God, and He calls us to be faithful stewards in our specific context. [44:44]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 - "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."
2. Matthew 16:26 - "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"
3. 1 John 4:20 - "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, how does Paul describe his role and the role of other believers? What is the key requirement for stewards?
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the concept of stewardship? ([27:59])
3. What does Matthew 16:26 suggest about the value of worldly success compared to spiritual well-being?
4. How does 1 John 4:20 connect the love of God with our actions towards others?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for stewards to be found faithful in 1 Corinthians 4:2? How does this relate to the overall message of stewardship in the sermon? ([38:56])
2. How does the story of William Carey and the work of Tim and Vanessa Ekno illustrate the principle of investing in things that matter? ([27:59])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between spiritual transformation and outreach/evangelism? How are these connected? ([32:06])
4. How does the concept of stewardship challenge the common American perspective on ownership and success? ([41:22])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: In what areas do you see yourself as a steward of God's resources? How can you be more faithful in these areas? ([38:56])
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of generosity as a way to break the cycle of materialism. What specific steps can you take this week to practice generosity in your community? ([51:38])
3. How can you actively participate in outreach and evangelism in your daily life? Identify one person or group you can reach out to this week with the love and message of Christ. ([32:06])
4. Consider the practical aspects of stewardship within your church. What is one way you can contribute to maintaining or improving your church property or resources? ([56:14])
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of not being mere consumers of Christianity but co-laborers. What is one ministry or service opportunity in your church that you can commit to this month? ([48:31])
6. Reflect on Matthew 16:26. Are there areas in your life where you are prioritizing worldly success over spiritual well-being? What changes can you make to align your priorities with God's values?
7. How can you demonstrate the love of God more effectively in your relationships with others, especially those who are difficult to love? ([43:21])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Christlike Transformation
Becoming more like Christ is a journey that involves daily surrender and transformation. This process is not a destination but a continual path of growth, where one's character and actions increasingly reflect the love, humility, and obedience of Jesus. It is a transformative experience that reshapes thoughts, desires, and behaviors, aligning them with the will of God. As individuals undergo this spiritual metamorphosis, they become living testimonies of God's grace, influencing others not just by words but through a life that radiates Christ's presence.
"Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:24
Reflection: What is one specific area in your life where you feel God is calling you to grow to become more like Christ, and what practical step can you take today to initiate that growth? [32:06]
Day 2: Demonstrating Faith Through Outreach
Outreach and evangelism are the tangible expressions of an individual's spiritual transformation. As believers grow in their faith, they are compelled to share the love and message of Christ with others. This calling is not limited to a select few but extends to all who follow Jesus. It is through acts of kindness, service, and the sharing of the gospel that the transformative power of Christ is made visible in the world. Believers are encouraged to look beyond their own needs and comfort to become ambassadors for Christ, impacting lives and communities with the hope found in Him.
"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can reach out to this week with the love or message of Christ, and what specific action will you take to do so? [32:43]
Day 3: Faithful Stewardship of God's Resources
Stewardship is the recognition that all possessions and abilities are entrusted by God and should be managed with faithfulness and wisdom. This perspective shifts the focus from personal ownership to divine entrustment, where believers are called to use their resources—time, talents, and treasures—to further God's kingdom. Faithful stewardship is not about the quantity of resources but the quality of management, seeking to honor God and serve others with what has been given. This approach fosters a sense of responsibility and accountability in the use of all that God has provided.
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10
Reflection: What is one resource God has entrusted to you, and how can you better steward it for His glory and the benefit of others? [33:55]
Day 4: Cultivating a Generous Heart
Generosity is a hallmark of stewardship and a reflection of God's character. It is an act of worship that acknowledges God as the source of all blessings. A generous heart is not constrained by the fear of scarcity but is motivated by the joy of sharing in God's work. This generosity extends beyond financial giving to include the sharing of time, abilities, and spiritual gifts. It is a liberating practice that counters materialism and aligns one's priorities with God's, leading to a life marked by grace, compassion, and open-handedness.
"Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6
Reflection: How can you practice generosity today in a way that challenges your comfort zone and reflects your trust in God's provision? [51:38]
Day 5: Pursuing Faithfulness in All Things
The true measure of a believer's life is not found in comparison with others or in the abundance of possessions but in faithfulness to God's calling. God has placed each person in unique circumstances with specific opportunities to serve Him. Faithfulness involves using the gifts and resources provided by God to the best of one's ability, regardless of the scale or scope of the task. It is in the small, everyday decisions and actions that faithfulness is cultivated and demonstrated, leading to a life that is pleasing to God and fruitful for His kingdom.
"Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." - Matthew 25:21
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to cultivate greater faithfulness, and what is one step you can take today to move toward that goal? [44:44]
Quotes
"I resonate with this quote because at this season in our ministry there is a voice or a temptation that could say you know Josh you've spent so much time and effort and energy and work and God has blessed you and God has blessed our church... but wouldn't it be a shame to get to the end of our life and be incredibly successful but everything we were successful at didn't matter." [01:01:36]
"We are successful at everything that doesn't count. We know how to make money and we know how to spend it... we have everything that on the outside looks like success and if God was interested in success then he would be incredibly pleased with the American Christian and the American church but God is not interested in success, he is interested in faithfulness." [01:03:35]
"I don't want to succeed at Grace Church in the things that don't matter... I want to succeed at things that matter and faithfulness is what matters to God. Stewardship of what we have... the beginning of a life that matters is a life that will not end and trust in Jesus Christ as your lord and savior is the beginning of the never-ending life." [01:04:22]
"One of the reasons for the high levels of depression and anxiety in our culture is because we are spending our lives investing them in things that don't count and Jesus invites us to partner with him in what he's doing in the world where your life counts." [01:07:29]
"Stewardship is the call to invest our lives in things that matter... the truth is how you live, that's what the church is going to do. As you live on purpose and have a shared sense of values and visions with Grace Church, and this is where you're at, our church will do what you do." [01:08:51]
"God's not inviting us to become bigger or better... He's inviting you to be faithful with your life, your life that has its limitations and disappointments, your life that hasn't turned out exactly how you would like it to go... but God is calling us to faithfulness." [01:09:25]
"Our church is made up of you, the cumulative effect of all of us. So our vision reveals what we value... Our vision reveals what matters to us. So when I talk about the idea of stewardship this morning, I want to explain to you what are some things that we believe are very important that we value." [46:37]
"We value participating in what God is doing around the world... we need to not be spectators in God's kingdom, we need to be participants. And we believe that that participation aspect transforms us, that serving God and seeing what God is doing and being a part of what God is doing." [48:31]
"We value generosity... our church has more money than it needs. The truth is our church has more money than it needs... if you give because you think God needs your money then today I'm going to give you permission to stop giving. The only antidote to materialism and consumerism... is generosity." [49:49]
"We value this building because it's a place for us to gather as God's people... we have been entrusted with this property which means we have a stewardship. We got to be faithful with it, we got to be trustworthy. Here's why we value this building because it's a place for us to gather as God's people." [55:07]
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