Faithful Stewardship: Sharing the Gospel's Treasure

Devotional

Day 1: Stewardship as Divine Management

Stewardship is the divine responsibility of managing God's gifts, recognizing that we own nothing ourselves. This concept extends beyond mere possession, urging believers to manage their time, talents, and treasures for God's glory and the service of others. The essence of stewardship is rooted in humility and responsibility, as exemplified by Paul, who despite his apostolic authority, considered himself a servant and steward. This perspective challenges us to evaluate how we use our resources, ensuring they align with God's purposes rather than personal gain. [49:20]

"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: What specific talent or resource do you currently possess that you can use more effectively for God's glory and the service of others today?

Day 2: The Gospel's Mystery of Reconciliation

The gospel is described as the mystery of reconciliation between sinful humanity and a holy God. This profound truth is a treasure entrusted to believers, not to be kept hidden but to be shared with the world. Understanding the gospel as a mystery emphasizes its depth and the responsibility of believers to faithfully steward this message. It calls for a commitment to proclaim the good news, ensuring that others have the opportunity to experience reconciliation with God. [53:51]

"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of reconciliation today, and how can you share this mystery of the gospel with them in a meaningful way?

Day 3: Living as Christ's Ambassadors

As ambassadors for Christ, believers are entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, helping others find a relationship with God. This role involves knowing the gospel, praying for others, and living out one's faith authentically. Being an ambassador means representing Christ in every aspect of life, demonstrating His love and truth through actions and words. It is a call to be intentional in relationships, seeking opportunities to share the gospel and embody the message of reconciliation. [01:00:50]

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you represent Christ as His ambassador in your workplace or community today?

Day 4: Embracing Global Stewardship

Global stewardship extends the responsibility of sharing the gospel beyond local communities to the entire world. Believers are called to support and partner with missionaries, ensuring the gospel reaches all nations. This stewardship involves more than financial contributions; it requires prayer, encouragement, and active participation in global missions. Embracing global stewardship reflects a commitment to God's heart for all people, recognizing the importance of spreading the gospel to every corner of the earth. [01:10:59]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" (Mark 16:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support global missions today, whether through prayer, encouragement, or partnership with missionaries?

Day 5: Faithful Stewards of God's Plan

Believers are God's plan for spreading the gospel, entrusted with the sacred responsibility of stewardship. This involves a commitment to be faithful in sharing the good news both locally and globally. Being a faithful steward means living with intentionality, seeking opportunities to proclaim the gospel, and supporting the broader mission of the church. It is a call to action, urging believers to embrace their role in God's plan and strive to be found faithful in their stewardship. [01:17:41]

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific step can you take today to be a more faithful steward of the gospel in your local community or beyond?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of stewardship, particularly focusing on the stewardship of the gospel. Drawing from Paul's letters to the Corinthians, we delved into the idea that every believer is entrusted with the mysteries of God, which is the gospel. Paul, despite his apostolic authority, saw himself as a servant and steward, emphasizing humility and responsibility. This perspective is crucial for us as we consider our roles as stewards of the gospel.

Stewardship, as defined by Warren Wiersbe, is about managing everything for our Master, God, while owning nothing ourselves. This includes our time, talents, and treasures. We are called to manage these gifts wisely, using them to glorify God and serve others. Our time is a precious gift, and we must ask ourselves if we are using it to please God or ourselves. Similarly, our talents and treasures are to be used in service to God and others, not hoarded for personal gain.

The gospel, described as the mystery of how sinful people are reconciled to a holy God, is a treasure we are entrusted to share. It is not something to be kept to ourselves but to be proclaimed to the world. Paul felt a deep responsibility to preach the gospel, and we are called to do the same. We are ambassadors for Christ, tasked with the ministry of reconciliation, helping others find a relationship with God.

To be faithful stewards, we must know the gospel, pray for those in our circles of influence, live out our faith authentically, and look for opportunities to share the good news. Additionally, we have a global responsibility to support and partner with missionaries, ensuring the gospel reaches all nations. Our stewardship is not just about financial support but also about prayer and encouragement.

In conclusion, we are God's plan for spreading the gospel. He has entrusted us with this sacred responsibility, and we must strive to be found faithful in our stewardship.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Stewardship: Stewardship is about managing everything for God, recognizing that we own nothing. Our time, talents, and treasures are gifts from God, and we are called to use them wisely for His glory and the service of others. [49:20]
2. The Gospel as a Mystery: The gospel is the mystery of reconciliation between sinful humanity and a holy God. It is a treasure entrusted to us, not to be hoarded but shared with the world. We are called to be faithful stewards of this message. [53:51]
3. Living as Ambassadors: As ambassadors for Christ, we have the ministry of reconciliation, helping others find a relationship with God. This involves knowing the gospel, praying for others, and living out our faith authentically. [60:50]
4. Global Stewardship: Our responsibility extends beyond local outreach to global stewardship. We are called to support and partner with missionaries, ensuring the gospel reaches all nations. This involves more than financial support; it requires prayer and encouragement. [70:59]
5. God's Plan for the Gospel: We are God's plan for spreading the gospel. He has entrusted us with this sacred responsibility, and we must strive to be found faithful in our stewardship, sharing the good news both locally and globally. [01:17:41]
** [77:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to Stewardship
[03:15] - Paul's View on Stewardship
[06:45] - Definition of a Steward
[10:20] - Time, Talents, and Treasures
[15:00] - The Mystery of the Gospel
[20:30] - Our Role as Ambassadors
[25:10] - Practical Steps for Local Stewardship
[30:45] - Living Out Loud
[35:20] - Opportunities for Sharing
[40:00] - Global Stewardship
[45:30] - Encouragement and Prayer for Missionaries
[50:00] - Conclusion and Call to Faithfulness
[55:00] - Closing Prayer and Remarks

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: Stewardship of the Gospel**

**Bible Reading:**

1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Ephesians 5:15-16
2 Corinthians 5:18-20

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**Observation Questions:**

How does Paul describe himself and other believers in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, and what does this imply about their roles? [49:20]
According to Ephesians 5:15-16, what is the significance of how we use our time, and why is it important? [51:42]
In 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, what ministry has God given to believers, and what does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ? [01:07:47]
What are the three "T's" mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the concept of stewardship? [51:42]

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**Interpretation Questions:**

What does it mean to be a "steward of the mysteries of God," and how does this affect a believer's daily life? [49:20]
How can believers make the best use of their time according to Ephesians 5:15-16, and what challenges might they face in doing so? [51:42]
What does it mean to have a "ministry of reconciliation," and how can believers actively participate in this ministry? [01:07:47]
How does the concept of stewardship extend beyond personal resources to include global responsibilities, as discussed in the sermon? [01:10:59]

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**Application Questions:**

Reflect on your current use of time. Are there specific areas where you feel you could better manage your time to honor God? What changes can you make this week? [51:42]
Consider the talents and gifts you have been given. How are you currently using them to serve God and others? Identify one new way you can use your talents in the coming month. [51:42]
Think about your financial resources and possessions. Are there ways you can be more generous or intentional in using them for God's glory? What steps can you take to align your spending with your faith? [51:42]
Identify someone in your life who may not know the gospel. How can you begin to build a relationship with them that opens the door to sharing your faith? [01:00:50]
Reflect on the idea of being an ambassador for Christ. What specific actions can you take to represent Christ in your workplace or community this week? [01:07:47]
How can you support global missions beyond financial contributions? Consider ways to engage with missionaries or global partners through prayer or encouragement. [01:10:59]
What practical steps can you take to live out your faith more authentically in everyday conversations, as suggested in the sermon? [01:07:47]

Sermon Clips

So, in this passage, Paul is telling them, the Corinthians, how they should think about him. And he doesn't emphasize that he's an apostle. He doesn't focus on his authority. But he uses two key words, servant and steward. So, this is really important to understand how Paul thought about himself and how we should think about ourselves. [00:48:43] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

He said, A steward is a servant who manages everything for his master, but who himself owns nothing. Let me say that again. A steward is a servant who manages everything for his master, but who himself owns nothing. So, there's two key words I see in this definition. The first word is nothing. We own nothing. Everything that we have is a gift from God. Everything we own actually belongs to him. [00:49:45] (30 seconds) Edit Clip

Paul wrote a little bit about this in Ephesians 5, verses 15 to 16. He says, look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the days, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. So I ask myself, I ask you, are you making the best use of your time? Are you wasting it or are you managing it for God's glory? [00:51:10] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

The gospel is the mystery of how sinful people are reconciled to a holy God that we just sung about. Jesus revealed that mystery, the Son of God. entered into human history he lived a perfect life and then he went to the cross to sacrifice for our sins he took God's punishment upon himself so that we could be forgiven. [00:55:07] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

Paul tells us that we are stewards of that mystery you know the gospel isn't something to be hoarded but something to be shared and we have a stewardship to share the gospel with others in the second verse that i read earlier paul writes moreover it is required of stewards that's us that they may be found faithful. [00:58:37] (23 seconds) Edit Clip

Paul writes for i preach the for if i preach the gospel that gives me no ground for boasting for necessity is laid upon me he says woe to me if i do not preach the gospel and then he says for if i do this of my own will i have a reward but if not of my own will i am still entrusted with a stewardship. [01:00:34] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Paul was explaining what jesus had done for us he died for us he made us into a new creation then in verse 18 he writes all this that i'm talking about is from god who through christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation that is in christ god was reconciling the world to himself not counting their trespasses against us against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. [01:05:40] (29 seconds) Edit Clip

Think about it think about this someone shared the gospel with each of you it might have been your parent it might have been a friend it could have been a sunday school teacher or a pastor but someone shared the message and god opened your eyes to understand that mystery and receive that message it changed your life your sins were forgiven you became a child of god a place was reserved for you in heaven. [01:07:54] (25 seconds) Edit Clip

My first point is that you can't be a faithful steward if you don't know the message that has been entrusted to us. Now, the second point is to start praying for people. Who are the people in your circle of influence? Think about your friends, maybe family, neighbors, classmates, coworkers. Who are the people you see on a regular basis? [01:07:47] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

Prayer can be a way to live out loud. If someone you know, maybe you're a student, you have a schoolmate, a coworker at your job, they tell you about a problem or trial in their life or family, well, tell them that you're going to pray for them let them know that you want to pray that comment itself might lead to a conversation or or maybe it won't but make sure you follow through when you leave them take time to pray and then continue to pray. [01:10:59] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

We have a stewardship to partner with them. They're an extension of our church. They need more than money. They need our encouragement and they need our prayers. So many of you got this kind of lavender flyer when you came in today. The flyer is the names of our 23 partners, some in the U .S. and many overseas. We already support them financially, but they need our prayer and encouragement to make a difference, to see lives changed. [01:15:48] (26 seconds) Edit Clip

So what I want us to hear as we end this message is we are God's plan. God is trusting us. He gave us a stewardship to spread the gospel locally and to the ends of the earth. And so as I, before I pray, just listen to the words of 1 Corinthians 4 again. Paul wrote, 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. [01:19:26] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

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