Financial Freedom Through Stewardship and Lordship
Summary
Today, I began by welcoming everyone across all our campuses and online, expressing gratitude for our volunteers and the privilege of gathering to hear God's Word. I introduced the theme of our series, "Common Sense," focusing on financial freedom through biblical principles. I recapped last week's foundational teachings from Pastor Paul, emphasizing the importance of stewarding, seeding, saving, and spending, and encouraged everyone to engage with these resources to understand God's perspective on financial freedom.
I then delved into the concept of stewarding, particularly tithing, as a foundational aspect of financial freedom. I highlighted the biblical promise that when we put God first in our finances, He blesses us and rebukes the devourer for our sakes. This stewardship not only aligns our financial practices with God's will but also establishes a platform for peace and security in our lives, as illustrated by Jesus' parable of building a house on solid rock.
Throughout the sermon, I emphasized the lordship of Jesus over all aspects of our lives, including our finances. I challenged the congregation to consider whether Jesus is truly the Lord of their financial world, pointing out that this is not just a financial issue but a lordship issue. I used the scripture from Malachi to illustrate the importance of returning to God's ordinances, including tithing, to experience His blessings and protection.
I also addressed the practical implications of stewarding in today's economic climate, acknowledging the financial pressures many face and reinforcing the need for trust in God's provision and timing. I shared personal testimonies of how adhering to biblical principles of stewardship has brought about unexpected blessings and provision in my own life and the lives of others in our community.
As I concluded, I extended an invitation for individuals to make Jesus the Lord of their lives, not just in the area of finances but in every aspect. I led a prayer for those deciding to follow Christ, affirming the eternal significance of this decision and celebrating with the congregation the new beginnings for those who responded.
### Key Takeaways:
1. Stewarding as Worship: Stewarding our resources is a form of worship that aligns our lives with God's purposes. When we manage our finances according to His principles, we declare His lordship over every area of our lives. This alignment not only brings financial freedom but also deepens our relationship with God, as we trust Him with what we value most. [26:19]
2. Foundation of Peace: True peace comes not from the absence of trouble but from the presence of Christ. By building our financial practices on the solid rock of Jesus’ teachings, we can withstand life's economic storms. This foundation is not shaken by external circumstances but is sustained by continual obedience to God's Word. [29:49]
3. Lordship Over Finances: Recognizing Jesus as Lord over our finances challenges the modern-day idolatry of materialism. It confronts the spirit of mammon, which seeks to usurp God's place in our lives. When we surrender our financial control to Jesus, we declare our trust in His provision and timing, regardless of our current economic conditions. [46:02]
4. The Test of Stewardship: Tithing is a test of our faithfulness and trust in God. It is an opportunity to prove God's faithfulness in our lives as we obey His command to bring the first fruits into His storehouse. This act of obedience opens the windows of heaven for blessings that overflow into all areas of our life. [50:12]
5. Generational Impact of Stewardship: Our commitment to tithing and stewardship has a ripple effect beyond our immediate financial situation. It influences the health and vitality of our church community and sets a precedent for future generations. By faithfully stewarding our resources, we participate in building God's kingdom on Earth, ensuring that the church remains a robust and vibrant community of faith. [55:07]
### Chapters:
- 0:00 - Welcome
- 0:01:30 - Introduction to Financial Freedom
- 0:26:19 - Stewarding as Worship
- 0:29:49 - Building on Solid Rock
- 0:37:15 - Addressing Today's Economic Challenges
- 0:46:02 - Confronting the Spirit of Mammon
- 0:50:12 - The Blessings of Obedience
- 0:55:07 - The Generational Impact of Stewardship
- 1:05:31 - Invitation to Lordship and Salvation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 6:43-49: "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say? I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins."
2. Malachi 3:6-12: "I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. "But you ask, 'How can we return when we have never gone away?' Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. "Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.
3. Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 6:43-49, what analogy does Jesus use to describe the importance of following His teachings?
2. In Malachi 3:6-12, what does God promise to do if the people bring all the tithes into the storehouse? [39:30]
3. What does Proverbs 3:9-10 say will happen when we honor the Lord with our wealth and the best part of everything we produce?
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between financial stewardship and the lordship of Jesus? [36:18]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to build your financial practices on the "solid rock" of Jesus' teachings, as described in Luke 6:48? How might this look in practical terms? [29:49]
2. How does the concept of tithing in Malachi 3:6-12 serve as a test of faithfulness and trust in God? What are the implications of this for modern-day believers? [39:30]
3. In what ways does honoring the Lord with our wealth, as stated in Proverbs 3:9-10, align with the sermon’s message about financial stewardship as a form of worship? [50:12]
4. The sermon mentions that financial stewardship is not just a financial issue but a lordship issue. How does this perspective challenge common views on money and materialism? [36:18]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current financial practices. Are they built on the "solid rock" of Jesus' teachings? What changes might you need to make to align them more closely with biblical principles? [29:49]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of tithing as a test of faithfulness. Have you experienced any challenges or blessings related to tithing? How has this affected your trust in God? [39:30]
3. Proverbs 3:9-10 talks about honoring the Lord with your wealth. What specific steps can you take this week to honor God with your finances? [50:12]
4. The sermon highlighted the lordship of Jesus over all aspects of our lives, including finances. How can you ensure that Jesus is truly the Lord of your financial world? [36:18]
5. Think about a time when you faced financial pressure. How did you respond, and what role did your faith play in that situation? How might you handle similar situations differently in the future? [37:15]
6. The sermon mentioned the generational impact of stewardship. How can you model and teach biblical financial principles to the next generation in your family or community? [55:07]
7. Consider the idea that financial stewardship is a form of worship. How does this perspective change the way you view your financial decisions and priorities? [26:19]
Devotional
Day 1: Stewardship as an Act of Worship
Stewarding our resources is not merely a financial strategy; it is an act of worship that acknowledges God's sovereignty over every aspect of our lives. When we manage our finances according to His principles, we are not just ensuring financial security; we are actively declaring that He is Lord over our resources. This act of worship aligns our priorities with God's and opens our hearts to trust Him more deeply. It transforms our perspective on money from a tool for personal gain to a resource for advancing His kingdom. This alignment brings about a deeper relationship with God as we depend on Him to provide and guide us in our financial decisions. [26:19]
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (Proverbs 19:17 ESV)
Reflection: How can you view your financial giving and management as an act of worship this week?
Day 2: Building Financial Practices on Christ
True peace in our financial lives stems from building our practices on the teachings of Jesus, much like a house built on solid rock. This foundation allows us to withstand economic uncertainties with faith rather than fear. By adhering to biblical principles in our finances, we create a stable foundation that is not easily shaken by worldly pressures. This approach not only ensures financial security but also instills a peace that transcends understanding, rooted in the knowledge that our finances are governed by eternal truths rather than temporal circumstances. [29:49]
"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84:11 ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure your financial decisions are built on the solid foundation of Jesus’ teachings?
Day 3: Confronting Materialism with Lordship
Recognizing Jesus as Lord over our finances is a powerful stance against the modern-day idolatry of materialism. This recognition challenges the pervasive influence of mammon in our lives, which seeks to replace God's central place with worldly wealth. By surrendering our financial control to Jesus, we affirm our trust in His provision and timing, which can often contradict the world's push for immediate gratification and self-reliance. This act of surrender is a declaration of our faith in His sovereignty and a step towards holistic stewardship. [46:02]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate that Jesus is the Lord over your finances today?
Day 4: The Blessings of Obedient Stewardship
Tithing is not merely a duty but a test of our faithfulness and trust in God. It is an opportunity to witness God's promises unfold in our lives as we obey His command to bring the first fruits into His storehouse. This act of obedience is a tangible expression of our trust in God's provision and often opens doors to blessings that extend beyond our financial realm. It strengthens our faith as we see God's faithfulness in action, encouraging us to depend on Him more fully in all aspects of life. [50:12]
"Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." (Malachi 3:10 ESV)
Reflection: How can practicing faithful stewardship in tithing deepen your trust in God’s provision?
Day 5: Generational Impact Through Faithful Stewardship
Our commitment to stewardship and tithing does more than affect our immediate financial situation; it sets a precedent for future generations and influences the health and vitality of our church community. By faithfully managing our resources, we participate in building God's kingdom on Earth and ensure that the church remains a robust and vibrant community of faith. This ripple effect of our stewardship extends beyond our lifetime, impacting future believers and continuing the legacy of faithfulness. [55:07]
"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." (Luke 16:10 ESV)
Reflection: What legacy of stewardship are you building for future generations in your community?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I don't know if you've ever had a really awesome boss. That's about the time the front row should be saying, yeah, yeah, yeah. Those moments where you get along with the boss or the work environment is great, it's going well." [31:08]
2. "And not only do you get the privilege, Pete, of helping build his kingdom here on earth, his purpose in our priority of life, you'll actually get to a point where the gates of hell can never conquer what I'm going to establish in you. Think about that for a moment, because we are still to this day, thousands of years later, walking in the benefit, reaping the benefit of the surrender of a man by the name of Peter." [55:07]
3. "But the truth is, not only is Jesus Lord, our material world operates either in a surrendered or unsurrendered position. We're gonna unpack this idea of stewarding that the Word of God teaches us." [37:15]
4. "Today, I choose you as my Lord and my Savior. I thank you for loving me, forgiving me, and giving me a fresh start. I declare, I'm a follower of Christ." [46:02]
5. "And we're believing that each of us, they go on the journey to discover a personal revelation of what it is to steward well, to seed well, to save well, to spend well, that there would be a financial freedom reality for every single one of us." [01:05:57]
### Quotes for Members
1. "I'm believing today that the foundation we choose to build is going to be one that allows you and I to experience the freedom that is found in Christ." [29:49]
2. "To live a life as a Christian where Jesus is Lord, I would say it's the difference between making a commitment saying yes to Jesus as Savior and now living surrendered to Jesus as Lord." [35:31]
3. "We have the power in surrendering and stewarding it well. We have the power to not allow the enemy access over our financial world. And God will pour out a blessing." [40:16]
4. "Peace isn't even found in having a lot of money. Because you're not financially free if you have a lot of money unless it's surrendered. But actually, I've found that peace is found in the presence of a person and his name is Jesus." [01:03:25]
5. "For Jesus to be lord, we must make sure he's lord of all. And the heart of this series is that every single one of us would find freedom when it comes to finances. We find that through God's word, God's principles, God's way." [01:04:52]
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