100 00:19:48.175 --> 00:19:49.785 Well, let's pretend for a minute, uh, 101 00:19:49.786 --> 00:19:53.065 that you went to the doctor for an annual checkup and, uh, 102 00:19:53.066 --> 00:19:54.744 maybe there was some things that were concerning you. 103 00:19:54.745 --> 00:19:57.345 Maybe you're experiencing a little bit more anxiety. Uh, 104 00:19:57.435 --> 00:20:01.105 maybe you are getting tired a bit more quickly than you used to. 105 00:20:01.106 --> 00:20:03.105 Maybe you don't have the drive that you used to have. 106 00:20:03.484 --> 00:20:06.025 And so you ask the doctor about it, and some of you're like, 107 00:20:06.026 --> 00:20:08.545 are you following me to my doctor's appointments right now? Uh, 108 00:20:08.565 --> 00:20:11.825 but the doctor tells you, listen, uh, none of us are getting any younger. Okay? 109 00:20:11.845 --> 00:20:15.825 We know how that works, but there are some things that I'm concerned about. Um, 110 00:20:16.095 --> 00:20:19.744 your blood pressure's a bit higher than it needs to be. Uh, 111 00:20:19.775 --> 00:20:22.585 that weight on the scale seems like year after year, 112 00:20:22.586 --> 00:20:25.225 it keeps ticking higher and higher and higher. 113 00:20:25.244 --> 00:20:29.405 And then your blood work has actually got some markers that we're not excited 114 00:20:29.406 --> 00:20:30.845 about. Now, if you had a good doctor, 115 00:20:30.984 --> 00:20:33.845 he would not just give you medication for the symptoms that you have, 116 00:20:34.145 --> 00:20:35.205 but he would let you know, listen, 117 00:20:35.365 --> 00:20:38.484 there are probably some things that are going on in your life within your 118 00:20:38.485 --> 00:20:39.885 lifestyle that if you don't address, 119 00:20:39.886 --> 00:20:42.045 you're gonna continue to head in the wrong direction. 120 00:20:42.785 --> 00:20:44.685 And you can end up in a place that you don't wanna be. 121 00:20:44.785 --> 00:20:47.869 And maybe we're looking at a place where we're talking about heart disease, 122 00:20:48.585 --> 00:20:52.045 but if you really cared about what the doctor said, if you were motivated, 123 00:20:52.046 --> 00:20:55.645 then you would start to learn some new ways to actually approach your life. 124 00:20:55.665 --> 00:20:56.265 You talk about, 125 00:20:56.265 --> 00:20:59.365 you think about how do I live a healthier lifestyle or the different foods that 126 00:20:59.405 --> 00:21:02.085 I need to eat, uh, what shouldn't I eat? Uh, 127 00:21:02.086 --> 00:21:03.525 what does it look like to start working out? 128 00:21:03.526 --> 00:21:06.725 What does it look like to reduce some of the stressors that I have in my life? 129 00:21:07.585 --> 00:21:08.965 And then if you were really serious, 130 00:21:09.145 --> 00:21:12.605 you would take what you learned and then you put a plan in place. 131 00:21:12.905 --> 00:21:16.525 But what you need to do is you need to learn a completely new paradigm, 132 00:21:17.225 --> 00:21:20.484 and then you need to act on it. And that's what we're talking about this week. 133 00:21:20.485 --> 00:21:23.244 We're in a series that we're calling Heart Check. And I told you last week, 134 00:21:23.375 --> 00:21:26.685 we're not just checking in on our cardiovascular system, 135 00:21:26.686 --> 00:21:28.525 but we're actually talking about our soul. Like, 136 00:21:28.526 --> 00:21:32.125 are we living a life of peace or are we living a life of anxiety? 137 00:21:32.825 --> 00:21:36.845 And we saw last week that one of the largest contributing factors to where we 138 00:21:36.846 --> 00:21:40.005 land on that scale like peace or anxiety, uh, 139 00:21:40.065 --> 00:21:43.325 is something that all of us have a love, love-hate relationship with. 140 00:21:44.025 --> 00:21:44.885 And it's called money. 141 00:21:45.585 --> 00:21:49.244 And I know we get nervous when we start to talk about money in church, uh, but, 142 00:21:49.245 --> 00:21:51.845 but there's, there's a couple reasons why we gotta talk about it. We said one, 143 00:21:51.846 --> 00:21:55.645 because you care about it. Like it stresses us out, it makes us anxious. Uh, 144 00:21:55.665 --> 00:21:58.685 all of us know the economy might be in place where we don't want it to be right 145 00:21:58.686 --> 00:21:59.565 now, uh, 146 00:21:59.566 --> 00:22:04.525 psychological studies have shown that 75% of us across all age groups, 147 00:22:04.885 --> 00:22:05.718 uh, 148 00:22:05.765 --> 00:22:09.565 despite any type of economic background that we are carrying stress about our 149 00:22:09.566 --> 00:22:14.165 money. And then secondly, Jesus cares about it. And he talks about it a lot. 150 00:22:14.185 --> 00:22:17.965 And what we see and scripture is he cares about it because he knows that it can 151 00:22:17.966 --> 00:22:18.799 stress us out. 152 00:22:19.185 --> 00:22:22.125 And Jesus doesn't want us to go through life stressed and anxious. 153 00:22:22.945 --> 00:22:25.885 And so if you miss last week's message, I would tell you, you need to go back. 154 00:22:26.275 --> 00:22:27.025 Give it a listen. 155 00:22:27.025 --> 00:22:32.005 But what you'll hear is some very pastoral and gentle words from Jesus about 156 00:22:32.006 --> 00:22:35.395 how he doesn't need your wallet, but he cares about your heart. 157 00:22:36.175 --> 00:22:38.595 And he tells us that, man, we've got a guard against this, 158 00:22:38.596 --> 00:22:42.275 this greed and this covetousness that will chase after us in our lives. 159 00:22:42.295 --> 00:22:45.875 And it'll promise fulfillment in things that will never provide it for us, 160 00:22:45.876 --> 00:22:48.115 and it's gonna leave us in a place of emptiness. 161 00:22:48.695 --> 00:22:50.115 And where we left off last week, 162 00:22:50.785 --> 00:22:54.734 Jesus was telling us that the way that we combat this life of being continually 163 00:22:54.735 --> 00:22:57.695 unfulfilled is to realize that you have a God that loves you, 164 00:22:57.965 --> 00:22:59.415 that he's provided for you, 165 00:22:59.555 --> 00:23:03.655 so much so that he's given you his first and his best and his only son in Jesus. 166 00:23:03.915 --> 00:23:06.734 And so if he's done that, he's clearly gonna continue to provide for us. 167 00:23:06.735 --> 00:23:11.175 And if we believe that in our life, we will find rest, we will find peace. 168 00:23:11.875 --> 00:23:14.935 And Jesus tells us that the way that we find that rest, 169 00:23:15.675 --> 00:23:20.575 the way that we find that peace is to rebel against the way of the world and 170 00:23:20.576 --> 00:23:25.255 to live a life of radical generosity. Uh, we culminated in Luke chapter 12, 171 00:23:25.256 --> 00:23:27.935 verse 34, Jesus is talking to a crowd of people and he says, 172 00:23:28.075 --> 00:23:31.734 for where your treasure is there, your heart will be also. 173 00:23:32.315 --> 00:23:36.255 And last week was all about the heart. And, and to be honest with you, 174 00:23:36.256 --> 00:23:38.815 this week's all about the head. So kind of a completely different approach. 175 00:23:39.035 --> 00:23:41.494 But if we're gonna get this right, just like we did when we go to the doctor, 176 00:23:41.495 --> 00:23:43.895 right, we need a different paradigm. We need a plan. 177 00:23:43.915 --> 00:23:45.725 But to build a heart healthy plan, 178 00:23:46.545 --> 00:23:49.805 you need to have what I would refer to and what we're gonna refer to this week 179 00:23:50.585 --> 00:23:55.475 is a proper theology of stewardship. Now, I know when you woke up this morning, 180 00:23:55.875 --> 00:23:57.195 , you didn't think, you know, 181 00:23:57.234 --> 00:24:00.835 I really need to experience more peace and more joy in my life is a good strong 182 00:24:01.275 --> 00:24:05.115 biblical theology of stewardship. Uh, and it can sound intimidating. Uh, 183 00:24:05.234 --> 00:24:08.795 a big word like theology. All theology means is the study of God. 184 00:24:08.935 --> 00:24:13.315 And so what we're talking about here is we need to understand God's design and 185 00:24:13.316 --> 00:24:16.955 intentions as it relates to the resources that we've been given in our lives. 186 00:24:17.775 --> 00:24:21.595 And again, if you remember last week, Proverbs 1412, it says, 187 00:24:21.596 --> 00:24:26.565 there's a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way to death. 188 00:24:27.415 --> 00:24:31.475 And so God, like he created us to experience his love, his peace, 189 00:24:32.015 --> 00:24:34.994 his rest, but the way of the world is leading us away from that. 190 00:24:34.995 --> 00:24:38.395 And it's why the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church of Rome, Romans chapter 12, 191 00:24:38.595 --> 00:24:41.755 verse two, he says, do not be conformed to the world. 192 00:24:42.055 --> 00:24:44.315 The world is the way that seems right to man. He says, 193 00:24:44.316 --> 00:24:49.035 don't be conformed to that, but be transformed by the renewal of our minds, 194 00:24:49.185 --> 00:24:52.755 that by the testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, 195 00:24:53.244 --> 00:24:57.035 acceptable, and perfect. So last week we needed to do a heart check. 196 00:24:58.055 --> 00:25:01.515 But part of our transformation, if we're gonna live into this new paradigm, 197 00:25:01.535 --> 00:25:05.075 it happens when we engage God's word and our minds are renewed. 198 00:25:05.905 --> 00:25:10.005 And so we need to have a right view of God and his plans and intentions for the 199 00:25:10.165 --> 00:25:13.605 resources that he's given to us in our lives. We need a new paradigm. 200 00:25:13.945 --> 00:25:17.244 And so here, here's kinda the big idea of this week, but to, 201 00:25:17.305 --> 00:25:22.285 to live a life of radical generosity, we need a right theology of stewardship. 202 00:25:22.785 --> 00:25:25.445 And so here's what I'm gonna do, uh, in our time together, 203 00:25:25.805 --> 00:25:27.285 I wanna make this as simple as I can. 204 00:25:27.286 --> 00:25:31.765 And so I'm gonna give us five easy principles for a biblical theology of 205 00:25:31.766 --> 00:25:32.885 stewardship. And so I'm telling you, 206 00:25:33.155 --> 00:25:37.045 I've worked hard to make this as simple for us as I possibly can. 207 00:25:37.685 --> 00:25:39.484 And so I do encourage you, though, to write these down as we go. 208 00:25:39.484 --> 00:25:42.365 And then I'm just gonna give us some practical steps that we can take to 209 00:25:42.525 --> 00:25:45.325 actually live this out as a church family together. And so here we go, 210 00:25:45.326 --> 00:25:46.925 right outta the gate, I'm gonna give you the five, 211 00:25:46.926 --> 00:25:49.445 and then we'll talk about 'em one by one. Uh, number one, 212 00:25:49.855 --> 00:25:52.715 everything belongs to God. Number two, 213 00:25:53.695 --> 00:25:55.595 we were created with purpose. Uh, 214 00:25:55.596 --> 00:25:58.675 the world tells us that we've gotta seek to find our own purpose that we've 215 00:25:58.676 --> 00:26:00.835 gotta do ourselves. That's not how it works. Three, 216 00:26:00.865 --> 00:26:05.275 that we're managers and not owners of the resources and the blessings that God's 217 00:26:05.276 --> 00:26:07.115 given to us in our lives. Four, 218 00:26:08.405 --> 00:26:12.994 God's generosity should fuel our generosity. And then lastly, 219 00:26:13.655 --> 00:26:16.635 our generosity is an eternal investment. You know, in a days, 220 00:26:17.115 --> 00:26:18.395 in a day and age where, uh, 221 00:26:18.455 --> 00:26:21.435 so many of us are so tempted to chase after instant gratification, 222 00:26:21.505 --> 00:26:25.115 Instagram reels Five seconds, five seconds, five seconds. Dopamine, dopamine, 223 00:26:25.116 --> 00:26:26.155 dopamine. No, no, no. 224 00:26:26.415 --> 00:26:29.835 God plants seeds in his kingdom and it takes time for them to grow. 225 00:26:29.855 --> 00:26:34.195 So let's jump in. Uh, first principle here, everything belongs to God. 226 00:26:34.855 --> 00:26:37.955 We go to the very beginning, Genesis chapter one, verse one. 227 00:26:38.095 --> 00:26:40.595 The Bible clearly tells us in the beginning, 228 00:26:41.494 --> 00:26:45.045 God created the heavens and the the earth. So everything that we know, 229 00:26:45.046 --> 00:26:49.445 everything that we've seen in the world was set in motion by God, the sun, 230 00:26:49.446 --> 00:26:52.205 the moon, the stars, the seasons, plants and animals. 231 00:26:52.206 --> 00:26:56.605 And then what the Bible highlights is his prized creation, male and female, 232 00:26:57.385 --> 00:27:02.205 you and me. And the Bible says that he created these things by simply speaking, 233 00:27:02.265 --> 00:27:06.405 and it's this beautiful picture of speaking into darkness and into a void, 234 00:27:06.744 --> 00:27:11.605 and then out of nowhere, order and life just begin. And so God creates, 235 00:27:11.715 --> 00:27:13.005 he's a sustainer of life. And, 236 00:27:13.244 --> 00:27:16.045 and if you have that type of power and glory and might, which he does, 237 00:27:16.244 --> 00:27:19.085 our God is holy. He's set apart. It should be easy to understand. 238 00:27:19.815 --> 00:27:24.545 Everything is His. And this principle, it carries on into the New Testament. In, 239 00:27:24.825 --> 00:27:28.465 in my wife's, uh, one of my wife's favorite, uh, chapters in all of scripture. 240 00:27:28.466 --> 00:27:32.665 Colossians chapter one. Uh, it says this, for in him all things were created, 241 00:27:32.666 --> 00:27:35.385 things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. 242 00:27:35.386 --> 00:27:37.905 Whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities, 243 00:27:38.325 --> 00:27:41.945 all things have been created through him. And watch this for him. 244 00:27:43.375 --> 00:27:47.055 Uh, we had a young man on our staff, uh, for years. Uh, 245 00:27:47.085 --> 00:27:51.055 he's now a professor over at, uh, DTS Dallas Theological Seminary. Uh, 246 00:27:51.075 --> 00:27:53.975 his name is Andrew Yates. And to know Andrew was to love Andrew, 247 00:27:53.976 --> 00:27:58.395 but he was a little bit, um, quirky. Uh, but Andrew, 248 00:27:58.396 --> 00:27:59.555 like he had this thing about him. 249 00:27:59.655 --> 00:28:03.275 If you ever asked him to borrow anything of his, it could be simple as, Hey, 250 00:28:03.276 --> 00:28:07.035 Andrew, can I borrow your pen? Uh, he would say, oh, you mean this pen? Uh, 251 00:28:07.036 --> 00:28:11.265 this is the Lord's pen. He's just entrusted it to me. And, uh, 252 00:28:11.266 --> 00:28:13.705 if you want to use it, far be it from me to stand in your way. And, 253 00:28:14.025 --> 00:28:17.465 and I'll tell you, uh, at times it was a little annoying, , 254 00:28:18.605 --> 00:28:19.945 but it was just a great reminder. 255 00:28:19.946 --> 00:28:23.105 Like he was committed to constantly reminding himself and other people, 256 00:28:23.475 --> 00:28:27.025 everything that I have in my life, it's not mine, it belongs to God. 257 00:28:27.695 --> 00:28:31.945 He's just entrusted it to me. So everything belongs to God. Second principle, 258 00:28:32.935 --> 00:28:36.484 we were created with purpose. And you gotta believe this, 259 00:28:36.485 --> 00:28:40.765 you move just a little bit further in Genesis chapter one, verse 26, it says, 260 00:28:40.766 --> 00:28:41.645 then God said, 261 00:28:42.545 --> 00:28:46.005 let us make man and our image after our likeness, 262 00:28:46.225 --> 00:28:50.365 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the 263 00:28:50.366 --> 00:28:52.845 heavens, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, 264 00:28:53.105 --> 00:28:57.125 and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Uh, 265 00:28:57.795 --> 00:29:02.365 this phrase here, dominion over it comes from a Hebrew word, 266 00:29:03.245 --> 00:29:07.845 radah, which means to rule, uh, to have authority over or to govern. Alright? 267 00:29:07.846 --> 00:29:12.285 So we were created with a purpose, and it's to rule over the rest of the earth. 268 00:29:13.145 --> 00:29:17.205 But you gotta be careful here, uh, biblical dominion, uh, 269 00:29:17.555 --> 00:29:21.165 it's not about domination, okay? It's, it's not about exploitation. 270 00:29:22.045 --> 00:29:23.335 It's really more about stewardship. 271 00:29:23.336 --> 00:29:27.575 Like it's about caring for and preserving what God created and set in motion. 272 00:29:27.576 --> 00:29:31.415 You go a little bit further in Genesis chapter two, verse 15. It says, 273 00:29:31.416 --> 00:29:36.375 the Lord God took the man and he put him in the garden of Eden to work it 274 00:29:37.275 --> 00:29:40.935 and to keep it. So God created it all. Uh, God owns it all, 275 00:29:41.005 --> 00:29:43.125 but he gave humanity this purpose right? To, 276 00:29:43.285 --> 00:29:46.725 to have dominion over all of his creation for the sake of, 277 00:29:46.726 --> 00:29:50.965 and this is important for the sake of preserving God's original intent. 278 00:29:52.375 --> 00:29:56.755 Now, you don't have to look too far, uh, to recognize this original assignment. 279 00:29:56.825 --> 00:30:00.315 Like it, it hasn't gone great, uh, for most of humanity. 280 00:30:01.095 --> 00:30:02.635 And what happened was, uh, 281 00:30:02.735 --> 00:30:06.635 man continually turned away from God and looked to do what was right in their 282 00:30:06.636 --> 00:30:10.315 own eyes. Remember Proverbs 14, two, uh, there's a way that seems right to man, 283 00:30:10.455 --> 00:30:13.675 and that's what's led to all the brokenness that we see around us in the world. 284 00:30:13.815 --> 00:30:17.555 And so God sent his son Jesus on the greatest rescue mission, uh, 285 00:30:17.556 --> 00:30:18.715 that the world has ever known. 286 00:30:18.855 --> 00:30:21.915 And then he calls men and women into following him. 287 00:30:21.916 --> 00:30:25.875 And then he gives them this charge. In Matthew chapter 28. He says, 288 00:30:26.295 --> 00:30:29.235 go into the world and make disciples of all nations, 289 00:30:29.236 --> 00:30:32.675 baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 290 00:30:32.975 --> 00:30:36.755 And teaching them to them, to teaching them to obey all that I've commanded. 291 00:30:37.675 --> 00:30:39.335 So essentially Jesus tells him, listen, 292 00:30:39.365 --> 00:30:44.175 your newly defined purpose is to go into the world and call people into the life 293 00:30:44.176 --> 00:30:47.455 that I have now made available. And so the purpose hasn't really changed, right? 294 00:30:47.735 --> 00:30:51.215 Like it is been about to live out God's plans and purposes and intentions. 295 00:30:51.216 --> 00:30:52.935 It's always been about the kingdom of God. 296 00:30:53.245 --> 00:30:58.215 It's just now we go about this purpose in light of the gospel calling 297 00:30:58.216 --> 00:31:02.845 people into following Jesus. So we've established everything belongs to God. 298 00:31:03.105 --> 00:31:04.485 And so everything that we have is his. 299 00:31:05.585 --> 00:31:08.685 And we've established that we have a purpose. But every purpose, 300 00:31:08.975 --> 00:31:10.965 every mission requires resources. 301 00:31:10.966 --> 00:31:14.925 And so where do the resources come from to live out this purpose? 302 00:31:16.005 --> 00:31:20.305 The third principle, uh, for a healthy biblical theology of stewardship is this, 303 00:31:21.125 --> 00:31:23.385 we are managers, not owners. 304 00:31:25.315 --> 00:31:29.215 So God promises his people blessing, okay? But to be clear, 305 00:31:30.075 --> 00:31:32.935 that's not always through financial blessings, but it does include, 306 00:31:33.435 --> 00:31:36.215 it does include the financial blessings that we have in our lives. 307 00:31:36.235 --> 00:31:40.135 But God calls us to use the blessings that we have in our lives to bless others, 308 00:31:40.775 --> 00:31:45.335 to, to steward what it is that we have for the purposes that we've been given by 309 00:31:45.395 --> 00:31:50.005 God. Genesis 1 28, it says, and God blessed them, okay? 310 00:31:50.006 --> 00:31:52.365 So God blesses us. And then God said to them, 311 00:31:52.885 --> 00:31:57.285 be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion. 312 00:31:57.286 --> 00:31:58.285 There's that word again, 313 00:31:58.605 --> 00:32:01.845 dominion over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the heavens and over 314 00:32:01.895 --> 00:32:06.645 every living thing that moves on the earth. And then you move forward. 315 00:32:07.245 --> 00:32:11.485 Um, you get to Genesis chapter 12, and then God calls, uh, 316 00:32:11.486 --> 00:32:15.045 this man by the of Abraham, and he, he tells him really the same thing, 317 00:32:15.046 --> 00:32:19.285 but he starts a new covenant with Abraham. Genesis 12, uh, verse two, it says, 318 00:32:19.445 --> 00:32:21.445 and I will make you Abraham a great nation. 319 00:32:22.005 --> 00:32:24.805 I will bless you and make your name great. Why? 320 00:32:24.985 --> 00:32:27.405 Why does God wanna bless Abraham and make his name great? 321 00:32:27.425 --> 00:32:30.845 Why does God wanna bless a people the Israelites? Why does he do that? 322 00:32:31.385 --> 00:32:35.785 So that you will be a blessing? Now, 323 00:32:36.025 --> 00:32:39.845 this promise that God made Abraham, it was for the Israelites, 324 00:32:40.345 --> 00:32:44.405 but we gotta understand through Christ, we as the church, 325 00:32:44.545 --> 00:32:47.765 as the family of God. Now we are carriers of that blessing. 326 00:32:48.715 --> 00:32:51.495 And so our whole lives, everything that we've been given to us, 327 00:32:51.555 --> 00:32:54.095 it is a blessing in our own lives, yes, to enjoy, 328 00:32:54.835 --> 00:32:59.295 but also to use to impact the world around us for his original intent and 329 00:32:59.296 --> 00:33:03.935 purposes. Uh, Jesus. In Luke chapter 12, uh, verse 42, 330 00:33:04.615 --> 00:33:07.735 uh, he tells a parable, and just at the beginning he asks this question, 331 00:33:07.736 --> 00:33:08.395 he says, 332 00:33:08.395 --> 00:33:12.495 who then is the faithful and wise manager who then is the faithful and wise 333 00:33:12.496 --> 00:33:16.535 steward of his master's household? And then he goes through a, 334 00:33:16.775 --> 00:33:21.455 a scenario and he talks specifically about those who are disobedient about his 335 00:33:21.895 --> 00:33:22.715 master's business. Uh, 336 00:33:22.715 --> 00:33:25.695 and he doesn't have some nice things to say about what happens to those people. 337 00:33:25.696 --> 00:33:28.215 You're gonna need to go back and read it. That's not what this message is, 338 00:33:28.355 --> 00:33:32.895 is about. But in chapter 12, verse 48, Jesus concludes us by saying, 339 00:33:33.575 --> 00:33:37.435 everyone to whom much is given of himm, much will be required. 340 00:33:38.715 --> 00:33:43.635 And from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand more. And basically, 341 00:33:43.636 --> 00:33:45.035 in this parable, Jesus is saying, 342 00:33:45.255 --> 00:33:50.035 if a master goes away and he entrusts his servant to care for his 343 00:33:50.095 --> 00:33:51.955 estate, when he comes back, 344 00:33:52.905 --> 00:33:55.275 he's gonna have the expectation that it was cared well for. 345 00:33:55.375 --> 00:33:56.635 And what Jesus wants to see, 346 00:33:56.636 --> 00:33:59.115 wants us to see in this is we have all been blessed, 347 00:33:59.335 --> 00:34:04.035 but to the extent of which we have been blessed, all the more is expected. 348 00:34:05.115 --> 00:34:08.765 Uh, by the way, uh, my kids are Marvel fans. 349 00:34:08.844 --> 00:34:12.205 I I'm convinced that this is where, uh, uncle Ben, uh, 350 00:34:12.206 --> 00:34:14.525 from Spider-Man gets this famous quote, uh, 351 00:34:14.594 --> 00:34:18.925 with great power comes great responsibility. Uh, and so I just would say, 352 00:34:18.945 --> 00:34:20.725 if you want to be more like Spider-Man, 353 00:34:20.985 --> 00:34:24.245 you can try to be more like Jesus or vice versa. I mean, 354 00:34:24.246 --> 00:34:26.885 you take your pick here, but, but at the end of the day, everyone, 355 00:34:26.886 --> 00:34:29.405 to who much is given much will be required, 356 00:34:29.545 --> 00:34:31.685 or with great power comes great responsibility. 357 00:34:31.705 --> 00:34:34.005 You can choose which one you wanna go, which road you wanna go down, 358 00:34:34.265 --> 00:34:38.885 but everything belongs to God. We're created with purpose. We're managers, 359 00:34:38.886 --> 00:34:40.445 not owners. The fourth, 360 00:34:40.864 --> 00:34:45.445 the fourth principle is God's generosity should fuel our 361 00:34:45.446 --> 00:34:50.065 generosity. And I'm just telling you, there's a lot to this. 362 00:34:50.585 --> 00:34:54.665 Um, we know that everything on earth is God's. And so everything that we have, 363 00:34:54.725 --> 00:34:58.785 God has blessed us with. But you gotta see, this is so much deeper than that. 364 00:34:59.625 --> 00:35:02.905 Uh, the Apostle Paul, he, he wrote this to the church in Corinth, 365 00:35:03.835 --> 00:35:07.275 two Corinthians chapter eight, verse nine. He says, for you know, 366 00:35:07.295 --> 00:35:10.875 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, 367 00:35:11.495 --> 00:35:15.275 yet for your sake, he became poor, so that through his poverty, 368 00:35:16.175 --> 00:35:21.035 you might become rich. And Paul's reminding us that Jesus, the son of God, 369 00:35:21.094 --> 00:35:25.594 he stepped down from his throne in heaven and became poor for our sake. 370 00:35:26.015 --> 00:35:27.875 And he did that while all of humanity, 371 00:35:27.955 --> 00:35:30.355 while you and while me were rebelling against God. 372 00:35:30.356 --> 00:35:34.675 And he did that so that he could pay a penalty that we deserve to pay on a cross 373 00:35:34.895 --> 00:35:38.965 so that we could experience the life that God intended. And not only that, 374 00:35:39.225 --> 00:35:42.925 I'm sure many of us are very familiar with John three 16. It says, 375 00:35:43.285 --> 00:35:46.565 for God so loved the world that he gave, 376 00:35:47.385 --> 00:35:51.085 he gave his only son that whosoever believed in him would not perish, 377 00:35:51.864 --> 00:35:56.475 but would have everlasting life. You understand? God gave, God is generous. 378 00:35:56.495 --> 00:36:00.594 He gave his first, he gave his best, he gave his only for you and for me, 379 00:36:01.795 --> 00:36:03.055 and I don't know if you know this, 380 00:36:03.635 --> 00:36:07.895 but the Bible also says in Romans that the wages of sin is death. 381 00:36:08.515 --> 00:36:11.415 So we deserve death for rebelling against God. 382 00:36:11.515 --> 00:36:15.415 And if you could just for a moment, look around all of our campuses right now, 383 00:36:16.344 --> 00:36:17.177 we're still here. 384 00:36:19.735 --> 00:36:23.715 We are here with access to the throne room and to the blessing of God. 385 00:36:25.185 --> 00:36:26.785 And I heard a pastor say once before, 386 00:36:27.265 --> 00:36:32.025 anything above the grave is the grace and the generosity of our God. 387 00:36:33.495 --> 00:36:37.155 And so our god's been generous to us, and a right theology of stewardship, 388 00:36:37.215 --> 00:36:38.315 it says in response, 389 00:36:38.695 --> 00:36:43.594 we are generous in our lives for the sake of seeing his plans and his purposes 390 00:36:43.595 --> 00:36:46.475 move forward. And 391 00:36:48.375 --> 00:36:48.876 you know, this, 392 00:36:48.876 --> 00:36:53.505 this is one of the principles that there really is a measuring stick too. And I, 393 00:36:54.425 --> 00:36:58.275 I think would be amiss if we don't actually slow down for a minute. Um, 394 00:36:59.395 --> 00:37:00.515 is this is big because if, 395 00:37:01.695 --> 00:37:06.495 if God's love and generosity doesn't fuel your generosity, 396 00:37:08.135 --> 00:37:09.555 you gotta ask yourself the question, 397 00:37:12.075 --> 00:37:16.985 do you really believe that Jesus is who he says he is and did what 398 00:37:16.986 --> 00:37:17.819 he said he did? 399 00:37:19.815 --> 00:37:22.435 And I don't ask that like as a question of judgment, okay? 400 00:37:22.515 --> 00:37:25.475 I I ask that because you have a God that loves you, 401 00:37:25.795 --> 00:37:28.675 more than you can ever understand or comprehend. 402 00:37:28.855 --> 00:37:33.675 So much so that he sent his son to this earth to die on your behalf. And man, 403 00:37:33.676 --> 00:37:35.114 we remember we talked last week, like, 404 00:37:35.115 --> 00:37:38.114 is it possible to be in one of the most critical moments in our lives and 405 00:37:38.115 --> 00:37:41.555 completely miss the point? Like, if we are missing this point, 406 00:37:41.935 --> 00:37:45.635 we need to slow down and go before God and see, God, I, I don't know what it is, 407 00:37:45.636 --> 00:37:49.795 but there's something in my heart that doesn't feel compelled to be generous. 408 00:37:50.055 --> 00:37:52.594 Do I really understand what it is that you've done for me? 409 00:37:53.844 --> 00:37:58.045 And I just tell you as, as a pastor here at hope, I don't want us to miss this. 410 00:37:59.215 --> 00:38:00.715 And so make time. You take the time, 411 00:38:00.716 --> 00:38:03.795 make sure you take the time this week to slow down and really engage your heart 412 00:38:03.796 --> 00:38:07.835 on this. But, but God's generosity should fuel our generosity. 413 00:38:09.005 --> 00:38:13.145 Our last principle is this, our generosity is an, 414 00:38:13.335 --> 00:38:14.465 it's an eternal investment. 415 00:38:15.965 --> 00:38:20.505 And last week when we were looking at Jesus's words, Luke chapter 12, 416 00:38:21.395 --> 00:38:24.535 we saw this in verse 33 through 34, uh, he said, 417 00:38:24.536 --> 00:38:27.135 sell your possessions and give to the needy. 418 00:38:28.295 --> 00:38:32.864 Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old with the treasure in the 419 00:38:32.865 --> 00:38:34.305 heavens that does not fail, 420 00:38:34.545 --> 00:38:38.925 where no thief approaches and no moth destroys for where your treasure is 421 00:38:39.335 --> 00:38:43.895 there, your heart will be. Also, remember, Jesus doesn't need your wallet, 422 00:38:43.995 --> 00:38:48.975 but he cares about your heart and he knows how the desire to to want more 423 00:38:48.976 --> 00:38:52.295 and more. It comes after you and it will not satisfy. 424 00:38:52.435 --> 00:38:55.975 But what if we get to a place where we say, Hey, no, no, no, enough is enough. 425 00:38:56.275 --> 00:38:58.735 My needs have been and will continue to be met. 426 00:38:58.736 --> 00:39:03.055 And so what I'm gonna do is I'm going to invest in the mission of God for this 427 00:39:03.056 --> 00:39:06.735 world. And you know what? We're gonna see lives change. And when that happens, 428 00:39:07.175 --> 00:39:10.215 we we get to a place where we realize we are going to celebrate with those 429 00:39:10.216 --> 00:39:12.495 people for all of eternity. 430 00:39:14.114 --> 00:39:18.895 Do you know heaven is gonna be filled with stories where we find out 431 00:39:19.245 --> 00:39:24.215 that we had no idea of the impact that our generosity and stewardship had on the 432 00:39:24.216 --> 00:39:28.785 lives of others? Like I'm, I'm completely convinced that, 433 00:39:29.425 --> 00:39:30.258 um, 434 00:39:30.625 --> 00:39:35.045 many of us are gonna be in heaven one day and we're gonna meet a young man who 435 00:39:35.145 --> 00:39:38.645 is gonna say, you've never met me. Um, 436 00:39:39.025 --> 00:39:42.195 but I grew up in Haiti, and when I was a child, 437 00:39:43.405 --> 00:39:48.185 we didn't really have a lot of food. But through the generosity of your church, 438 00:39:48.305 --> 00:39:51.025 I was able to have food in my belly at least one time a day. 439 00:39:51.525 --> 00:39:52.825 And so as a result of that, 440 00:39:53.185 --> 00:39:57.705 I grew up understanding the grace and the goodness of God. And as I grew up, 441 00:39:58.065 --> 00:40:01.705 I became a leader in this church that you all helped get started. 442 00:40:02.165 --> 00:40:06.265 And I became a leader for the sake of the gospel through Agape Church in Haiti. 443 00:40:06.425 --> 00:40:08.265 I mean, these conversations are gonna happen. 444 00:40:08.885 --> 00:40:12.585 You look at what Paul wrote to Timothy, first Timothy chapter six, 445 00:40:12.586 --> 00:40:17.305 verse 17 through 19. And hear me say this like, I don't say this, um, 446 00:40:17.495 --> 00:40:21.825 because this is something I wrote. This is something that Paul made a charge to, 447 00:40:21.826 --> 00:40:24.625 to Timothy, who is a pastor over a church. And so, um, 448 00:40:25.065 --> 00:40:27.145 I believe I received this same charge for Paul, 449 00:40:27.205 --> 00:40:31.185 and I share it with all of us together as a church family. It says of verse 17, 450 00:40:31.725 --> 00:40:34.864 as for the rich in this present age, which by the way, um, 451 00:40:35.045 --> 00:40:38.905 95% of us who can hear my voice right now would fall into this category, 452 00:40:39.245 --> 00:40:41.225 as for the rich in this present age, 453 00:40:41.925 --> 00:40:46.344 charge them not to be haughty nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of 454 00:40:46.445 --> 00:40:48.265 riches, but on God, 455 00:40:49.445 --> 00:40:53.665 who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. So he provides us with every, 456 00:40:53.666 --> 00:40:55.745 like the stuff, the blessings that he's given us in our lives. 457 00:40:56.305 --> 00:40:59.025 They're for us to enjoy, yes, but they're also to do good, 458 00:40:59.405 --> 00:41:02.864 to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 459 00:41:03.135 --> 00:41:07.025 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation. Look, 460 00:41:07.026 --> 00:41:10.425 it has eternal value with a good foundation for the future, 461 00:41:10.844 --> 00:41:14.625 so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 462 00:41:16.975 --> 00:41:21.555 Our generosity is an eternal investment. Now, 463 00:41:21.556 --> 00:41:25.235 I want you to see something here, and we just gotta recognize this. Um, 464 00:41:25.775 --> 00:41:28.195 the world has a different perspective on stewardship. 465 00:41:28.455 --> 00:41:31.635 And so if you were look to say, Hey, what do the masses think about stewardship? 466 00:41:31.636 --> 00:41:34.805 What does the the world think about the possessions that we have in our lives? 467 00:41:34.806 --> 00:41:38.005 They would say this, everything I have is mine. Uh, 468 00:41:38.844 --> 00:41:42.315 I create my own purpose. I use my stuff my way. 469 00:41:43.215 --> 00:41:46.895 I'm generous when I feel like it, and I wanna see results immediately. 470 00:41:47.775 --> 00:41:52.005 You know, I mentioned this earlier. We, we just live in a world, man. It, 471 00:41:52.285 --> 00:41:56.305 it chases after immediate gratification. Like, 472 00:41:56.306 --> 00:41:59.905 does it bring me joy and excitement right now in this moment? 473 00:42:01.364 --> 00:42:03.185 And that's not so within the kingdom of God. 474 00:42:03.186 --> 00:42:05.705 Like the kingdom of God is about planting seeds, 475 00:42:05.995 --> 00:42:07.905 seeds don't bust through the ground the next day. 476 00:42:07.995 --> 00:42:09.985 Seeds don't produce fruit the next month, 477 00:42:12.205 --> 00:42:15.445 Proverbs 1412, there is a way that seems right to man, 478 00:42:17.205 --> 00:42:21.105 but its end is the way of death. Church, family, 479 00:42:21.205 --> 00:42:25.705 we need a new paradigm. Like we need a biblical theology of stewardship. 480 00:42:27.385 --> 00:42:29.645 And so God's word says, no, no, no, that's not the way it works. 481 00:42:29.646 --> 00:42:31.605 The way it works is this, everything belongs to God. 482 00:42:31.785 --> 00:42:36.445 He created everything by him through him. For him it says that we were created, 483 00:42:36.925 --> 00:42:36.926 uh, 484 00:42:36.926 --> 00:42:41.715 with a purpose to actually oversee what it is that God created to live out his 485 00:42:41.716 --> 00:42:44.195 plans and purposes. We're managers, we're stewards, 486 00:42:44.215 --> 00:42:46.315 not owners of the things that we have in our lives. 487 00:42:46.455 --> 00:42:49.195 And God's generosity should fuel our generosity. 488 00:42:49.455 --> 00:42:54.275 We love because he first loved us. And our generosity is an eternal investment, 489 00:42:54.695 --> 00:42:59.695 not just in our lives, but also in the lives of others around us. Jesus, 490 00:43:00.335 --> 00:43:04.895 uh, in Luke chapter 16, he has some really strong words on this. 491 00:43:06.805 --> 00:43:07.364 He says, 492 00:43:07.364 --> 00:43:12.094 no servant can serve two masters for either he will hate one 493 00:43:12.635 --> 00:43:13.468 and love the other, 494 00:43:14.435 --> 00:43:17.935 or he'll be devoted to one and despise the other. 495 00:43:18.864 --> 00:43:23.715 And he wraps it up by saying this, you cannot serve both God and money. 496 00:43:26.015 --> 00:43:27.114 We gotta do a heart check. 497 00:43:29.285 --> 00:43:33.545 And so we hopefully we get to a place where we say, okay, how do I apply this? 498 00:43:33.546 --> 00:43:33.746 Like, 499 00:43:33.746 --> 00:43:38.585 what does it look like to live out of this theology of stewardship in my life? 500 00:43:38.765 --> 00:43:41.665 And it inevitably leads to two questions. One, 501 00:43:42.155 --> 00:43:44.385 where do I express my financial generosity? 502 00:43:44.386 --> 00:43:46.945 If I'm gonna take on this new paradigm, if I'm gonna put a plan in place, 503 00:43:47.475 --> 00:43:52.265 where do I express this generosity? And then secondly, how generous should I be? 504 00:43:52.895 --> 00:43:55.545 What does that look like for me? So when the rubber hits the road, 505 00:43:56.005 --> 00:43:59.105 taking an action step to give is what this is all about. 506 00:43:59.106 --> 00:44:02.505 And it boils down to where do I give and how much? And honestly, 507 00:44:02.775 --> 00:44:04.265 each one of those could have been a message, 508 00:44:04.266 --> 00:44:05.825 could have been a sermon in and of themselves, 509 00:44:06.165 --> 00:44:08.425 but I didn't want us have to sit in five weeks on this topic. 510 00:44:08.445 --> 00:44:11.665 And so I'm gonna jam it in right now for us. Okay? So first question, 511 00:44:11.955 --> 00:44:15.995 where do I express my generosity? In the New Testament, uh, 512 00:44:16.055 --> 00:44:20.835 you see a picture of God's people expressing their generosity in two places in 513 00:44:20.836 --> 00:44:25.415 their everyday lives. And through the local church, um, very clearly, 514 00:44:25.515 --> 00:44:28.015 you see an ax. It says, the believers had all things in common. 515 00:44:28.205 --> 00:44:31.055 They treated their possessions like they understood. Everything I have, 516 00:44:31.120 --> 00:44:34.725 I have in my life, uh, really is God's. Remember Andrew Yates, the pen? Like, 517 00:44:34.726 --> 00:44:37.645 this is the Lord's pen. Uh, this is the Lord's sheep. If you need a sheep, 518 00:44:37.646 --> 00:44:41.965 I'll share my sheep. Um, and so they made sure that everyone was out without, 519 00:44:41.966 --> 00:44:45.945 without need. No idea why I stuttered on the word without, 520 00:44:46.925 --> 00:44:49.465 but secondly, it was through the church. 521 00:44:50.565 --> 00:44:54.745 And this isn't a one or the other. Okay? This is a both end. But understand, 522 00:44:55.495 --> 00:45:00.105 Jesus's primary plan for God's kingdom to move forward was through the church. 523 00:45:01.364 --> 00:45:06.265 And what you see is followers of Jesus giving to the leaders of the church for 524 00:45:06.266 --> 00:45:08.145 the sake of the mission. You might say, whoa, whoa, wait a minute, 525 00:45:08.344 --> 00:45:10.025 giving to the leaders of the church. Uh, 526 00:45:10.485 --> 00:45:13.705 it was the leaders of the church responsibility to make sure that those 527 00:45:14.025 --> 00:45:17.344 resources went to the right areas. And in fact, you see in the New Testament, 528 00:45:17.785 --> 00:45:21.785 uh, you see that the church used these resources as the body of Christ that were 529 00:45:21.786 --> 00:45:24.305 collected by the potty of Christ for three specific areas. 530 00:45:24.645 --> 00:45:28.745 One was to meet the needs of the needy. That's a big deal to us here at hope. 531 00:45:29.675 --> 00:45:33.795 Secondly, it's to build the household of God where and how ministry gets done, 532 00:45:34.114 --> 00:45:35.995 how, where, and how it takes place. And then third, 533 00:45:36.094 --> 00:45:39.395 to support those who give their best hours to lead and shepherd the church. 534 00:45:41.995 --> 00:45:45.475 And so giving to a nonprofit, it's good, um, 535 00:45:45.585 --> 00:45:49.475 meeting the needs of your neighbors and your community that's expected, uh, 536 00:45:49.545 --> 00:45:53.715 your family sponsoring a child or an orphan overseas that is good and right. 537 00:45:54.015 --> 00:45:55.995 But please understand, uh, it is the, 538 00:45:56.015 --> 00:46:00.275 the responsibility of the local church of Jesus Christ. And the New Testament, 539 00:46:00.635 --> 00:46:03.075 uh, that we see charge with carrying forward. 540 00:46:03.094 --> 00:46:06.195 The mission and the purpose is that God is placed on his people. 541 00:46:06.295 --> 00:46:08.475 And so that's where we express our generosity. 542 00:46:11.364 --> 00:46:15.364 How generous should we be? Very , 543 00:46:16.575 --> 00:46:19.325 God's love and generosity should fuel our generosity. 544 00:46:19.326 --> 00:46:21.765 And a question that always comes up is, should it be a tithe? 545 00:46:21.995 --> 00:46:25.965 Like should it be 10% of my income? And most scholars would tell you, uh, 546 00:46:25.966 --> 00:46:30.175 in the Old Testament, there's really this baseline of a 10% tithe. 547 00:46:30.315 --> 00:46:33.614 So 10% of our first roots, 10% of what comes in, 548 00:46:33.915 --> 00:46:36.655 it goes back to God immediately. Um, 549 00:46:37.235 --> 00:46:40.015 but they also would tell you that there's other offerings like temple taxes, 550 00:46:40.235 --> 00:46:41.375 all kinds of things that really, 551 00:46:41.655 --> 00:46:45.495 that what what they brought forth in tithes and offerings to God could have been 552 00:46:45.655 --> 00:46:50.135 anywhere from 10 to 25, 20 6%. Now, 553 00:46:50.155 --> 00:46:53.735 I'm gonna tell you something that a lot of pastors might not tell you. 554 00:46:54.094 --> 00:46:57.575 Jesus doesn't specifically say that in the New Testament. 555 00:46:58.895 --> 00:47:00.175 It just doesn't. And, uh, 556 00:47:00.176 --> 00:47:03.055 and you should probably be leery of any pastor that tells you it does. 557 00:47:03.056 --> 00:47:05.695 Now if they can show it to me, that's great, I'd love to see it. Um, 558 00:47:05.995 --> 00:47:08.735 but I will tell you this, I can say this confidently, 559 00:47:09.185 --> 00:47:13.855 Jesus never decreases the call on the family of God from the Old 560 00:47:14.055 --> 00:47:16.975 Testament. In fact, he normally ups the ante. Uh, 561 00:47:17.155 --> 00:47:19.094 at one point he specifically says, listen, you, 562 00:47:19.095 --> 00:47:22.455 you've heard it said not to murder, but I say unto you, 563 00:47:22.955 --> 00:47:27.695 any man that has anger in his heart against his brother is subject to judgment. 564 00:47:30.385 --> 00:47:32.855 Again, thi this would require an entire sermon, but, 565 00:47:32.915 --> 00:47:35.495 but it comes down to a theology of stewardship. 566 00:47:37.415 --> 00:47:40.835 We should give out of the generosity that we've experienced from God 567 00:47:42.265 --> 00:47:46.765 to whom much is given, much is required. Um, one portion in scripture, 568 00:47:46.815 --> 00:47:51.605 Jesus scoffs at the Pharisees for boasting about their large offerings because 569 00:47:51.625 --> 00:47:54.325 of their hard hearts. But in the same paragraph, 570 00:47:54.344 --> 00:47:58.965 he turns right around and he praises a widow for giving two copper coins because 571 00:47:58.966 --> 00:48:03.715 that's all she had. It's not about equal gifts, 572 00:48:05.325 --> 00:48:06.575 it's about equal sacrifice. 573 00:48:07.945 --> 00:48:11.205 And we give generously out of the blessing that God has provided for us. 574 00:48:11.485 --> 00:48:13.885 So inside of our church community, there, 575 00:48:14.375 --> 00:48:18.515 there could be a widow that might struggle to give 10%, 576 00:48:19.925 --> 00:48:23.955 and that's okay. I mean, that should be a goal. It's something to work towards. 577 00:48:24.135 --> 00:48:26.835 But there could be someone else who makes $200,000 a year. 578 00:48:26.835 --> 00:48:28.915 And if they're stewarding God's resources, well, 579 00:48:29.055 --> 00:48:32.195 it should be easier for them to give more. But again, 580 00:48:33.135 --> 00:48:34.635 that's not the point of the sermon. 581 00:48:35.055 --> 00:48:38.235 The point of the sermon is we should be moved to action, 582 00:48:38.795 --> 00:48:43.315 like God's generosity in our lives should fuel us to be generous with the world 583 00:48:43.316 --> 00:48:47.114 around us. And so I, I assume this message, um, 584 00:48:49.005 --> 00:48:52.105 it falls on the ears of two different groups of people. Um, 585 00:48:53.665 --> 00:48:56.745 either you're currently giving to support the purposes of God, 586 00:48:57.695 --> 00:49:01.825 most likely through your local church or you're not. Um, 587 00:49:02.935 --> 00:49:06.435 you've heard from Jesus, he cares about your heart. Uh, 588 00:49:07.685 --> 00:49:11.385 you've been given a biblical theology of stewardship. 589 00:49:12.895 --> 00:49:15.075 And so if you're currently giving, uh, here, 590 00:49:15.076 --> 00:49:16.315 here's what I'll encourage you to do. 591 00:49:16.975 --> 00:49:21.835 I'd encourage you to evaluate your generosity based on this theology of 592 00:49:21.836 --> 00:49:26.594 stewardship. Um, I think you should get together as a family. Um, 593 00:49:27.295 --> 00:49:28.715 and you should ask yourself this question, 594 00:49:29.265 --> 00:49:34.114 does our stewardship and generosity with our resources match the generosity that 595 00:49:34.135 --> 00:49:39.025 we have received and been blessed with by God? Ask yourself the question, 596 00:49:39.125 --> 00:49:41.344 and if not, make a change. 597 00:49:42.864 --> 00:49:46.815 Let's guard our hearts against the temptation of this world to pursue more and 598 00:49:46.816 --> 00:49:50.135 more and more, and as a church family, less make a larger, 599 00:49:51.094 --> 00:49:55.455 a larger eternal investment in God's kingdom and in the world around us. 600 00:49:58.245 --> 00:50:01.745 If you're not currently giving, uh, and you've been here more than three months, 601 00:50:02.105 --> 00:50:04.385 okay? If you've been here less than three months, you're kinda off the hook. 602 00:50:04.425 --> 00:50:06.065 I mean, you've seen what the Bible says, all right? 603 00:50:06.066 --> 00:50:07.065 But that's between you and God. 604 00:50:07.066 --> 00:50:10.625 But if you've been here for more than three months and you're benefiting from 605 00:50:10.626 --> 00:50:12.745 this family of God called Hope Community Church, 606 00:50:12.965 --> 00:50:16.305 and you've seen this big biblical picture as God created us to live, 607 00:50:16.325 --> 00:50:20.065 here's what I would say, it's time to jump in the game. I mean, 608 00:50:20.066 --> 00:50:22.905 this is your church family. And this isn't Jason saying, 609 00:50:23.275 --> 00:50:27.065 Jason thinking that you should. This is me elevating, uh, 610 00:50:27.315 --> 00:50:31.285 what God's word says that your resources, uh, are not mine. 611 00:50:32.565 --> 00:50:35.005 You're probably thinking that's really good news. It is good news. Um, 612 00:50:35.385 --> 00:50:38.835 but they're not yours either. They're God's. 613 00:50:40.395 --> 00:50:44.835 And this is not just to take the blessing that I receive with no investment, 614 00:50:45.835 --> 00:50:49.155 like inside the family of God. We all have roles and responsibilities. You know, 615 00:50:49.156 --> 00:50:52.125 who does that? Children do that. 616 00:50:54.495 --> 00:50:57.555 And I I just wanna say this for a moment, so pardon me ladies just for a moment, 617 00:50:57.655 --> 00:51:02.485 but if, if, if you're a man and if you're married and if you have children, um, 618 00:51:02.985 --> 00:51:07.085 you have a very specific calling on your life by God, um, 619 00:51:07.105 --> 00:51:08.885 to set the spiritual climate in your fa, 620 00:51:08.915 --> 00:51:10.844 it's not to set the spiritual climate in your family. 621 00:51:11.035 --> 00:51:14.844 It's not your burden to bear alone by any stretch of the imagination. 622 00:51:15.065 --> 00:51:18.965 But we have a responsibility to make sure that our family is moving towards 623 00:51:19.245 --> 00:51:20.925 spiritual health. And as we've seen by Jesus, man, 624 00:51:20.926 --> 00:51:23.485 if we don't guard against what can happen in our hearts, 625 00:51:23.614 --> 00:51:25.565 we're not gonna end up where we wanna be. 626 00:51:25.566 --> 00:51:29.325 We're gonna continually chase after things that aren't gonna bring us the life 627 00:51:29.395 --> 00:51:32.085 that God intended for us. And so here's what I wanna encourage you to do, 628 00:51:32.725 --> 00:51:35.565 evaluate against this, uh, this, um, 629 00:51:35.765 --> 00:51:38.925 theology of stewardship that we've seen through God's word. 630 00:51:38.985 --> 00:51:41.725 And so here's what you do. It's really simple. I wanna call us as a church, 631 00:51:43.344 --> 00:51:46.885 is to making a decision. So it's really easy if, 632 00:51:46.905 --> 00:51:50.125 if God moves in your heart to take a step in this direction, um, 633 00:51:50.126 --> 00:51:55.005 we have a number 7 2 9 8 9 that you can text. You text the word give 7 2, 9, 8, 634 00:51:55.005 --> 00:51:58.405 9. And what happens is, I get your address and I show up at your house, and we, 635 00:51:58.425 --> 00:52:02.885 I'm just kidding you, text the word give to 7 2, 9 8, 9, and you're gonna link, 636 00:52:02.886 --> 00:52:04.765 you're gonna get a link sent directly to your phone, 637 00:52:05.565 --> 00:52:08.425 and you click that link and you let us know what campus that you go to. 638 00:52:08.565 --> 00:52:11.425 And then as a family or as an individual before God, 639 00:52:11.426 --> 00:52:15.864 you make a decision about what taking this step of generosity looks like in your 640 00:52:15.865 --> 00:52:20.685 life. What this really comes down to is two things. 641 00:52:23.344 --> 00:52:26.685 Do you embrace this theology of stewardship that we see in scripture? 642 00:52:28.945 --> 00:52:32.805 And then what type of eternal impact do we wanna make as a church? 643 00:52:35.455 --> 00:52:40.285 There are 300 children in Haiti that our church is responsible, 644 00:52:41.005 --> 00:52:42.965 um, for being a part of feeding once a day. 645 00:52:45.665 --> 00:52:47.605 That's all they eat once a day. 646 00:52:47.925 --> 00:52:51.364 Wouldn't it be incredible if they could eat twice a day? I mean, 647 00:52:51.365 --> 00:52:54.005 50% of the country of Haiti is starving right now. 648 00:52:55.665 --> 00:53:00.205 We have land in Fuquay and we have a campus that is thriving in Fuqua. 649 00:53:00.206 --> 00:53:02.844 Wouldn't it be incredible if we could come together as a church family, 650 00:53:03.185 --> 00:53:05.005 one church of multiple communities, 651 00:53:05.625 --> 00:53:08.565 and come together and actually help them build a community center there that 652 00:53:08.566 --> 00:53:10.805 would give them a better footprint, uh, to, 653 00:53:10.905 --> 00:53:14.125 to help them further bless that community? Uh, 654 00:53:14.126 --> 00:53:18.565 we've got small groups of men and women and students across all the communities 655 00:53:18.566 --> 00:53:22.725 where we have campuses who know a very specific needs of their community. 656 00:53:22.864 --> 00:53:26.565 And there are men and women and students in those communities who need to hear 657 00:53:26.566 --> 00:53:30.005 about the good news of Jesus Christ and the life that he's came to make 658 00:53:30.006 --> 00:53:33.965 available. Church family. 659 00:53:34.065 --> 00:53:37.165 We have an opportunity to make an eternal investment. 660 00:53:39.665 --> 00:53:43.525 And this is my prayer that God would move in our hearts, 661 00:53:45.285 --> 00:53:50.245 um, that we would resist the temptation that the world calls us into to 662 00:53:50.246 --> 00:53:54.445 acquire more and more and more and more. That's not truly gonna satisfy. 663 00:53:55.864 --> 00:53:59.725 And we would live fully into the plans and purposes that God has for us and our 664 00:53:59.726 --> 00:54:02.525 lives that he calls us into as this church. 665 00:54:02.585 --> 00:54:05.844 And that we would see God do immeasurably more than we could ever think to 666 00:54:05.845 --> 00:54:09.765 imagine or ask through the power of His spirit. That's at work. 667 00:54:11.625 --> 00:54:13.765 That's a story that I believe God's calling us into. 668 00:54:15.085 --> 00:54:19.485 That's so much of it hinges on this right here. Father, 669 00:54:20.295 --> 00:54:24.565 thank you for your word. I thank you that we can hear from Jesus 670 00:54:26.145 --> 00:54:28.765 and know that he cares about our hearts. Thank you. 671 00:54:28.766 --> 00:54:31.245 That we can see throughout scripture and experience in our lives, 672 00:54:31.275 --> 00:54:34.725 that you don't leave us to ourselves to pursue our own ways that ultimately lead 673 00:54:34.726 --> 00:54:36.125 to death and to destruction. 674 00:54:39.785 --> 00:54:41.525 And you've allowed us to see that we can, 675 00:54:42.705 --> 00:54:45.725 we can trust that you're gonna continually provide for us because you've already 676 00:54:45.726 --> 00:54:50.685 given us your first and your best and your only son. And so I, 677 00:54:50.805 --> 00:54:55.364 I pray as a family, as Hope Community Church, as a family of families, 678 00:54:55.365 --> 00:54:59.085 that you would move in our hearts to fully embrace what it means to love God, 679 00:54:59.385 --> 00:55:00.218 to follow Jesus, 680 00:55:00.425 --> 00:55:05.125 and to be able to share the hope that we have in him with the world around us. 681 00:55:09.565 --> 00:55:11.045 Or if the Bible's true, and I believe it is, 682 00:55:13.344 --> 00:55:18.285 our financial situation gets such a grip on our hearts and lead us in the wrong 683 00:55:18.286 --> 00:55:22.844 direction. Lord, I pray for freedom. Lord, 684 00:55:22.845 --> 00:55:27.125 I pray that you would move us to being the church that you've called us to be, 685 00:55:27.465 --> 00:55:29.405 and that the world desperately needs. We love you. 686 00:55:29.665 --> 00:55:32.405 And we pray these things in the name of Jesus and amen. 687 00:55:34.835 --> 00:55:37.005 Amen and amen. And I know, uh, 688 00:55:37.175 --> 00:55:41.844 we've all been challenged by those words that we heard today and 689 00:55:42.425 --> 00:55:45.844 before we part, I just, I can't believe we're actually one month away. 690 00:55:46.375 --> 00:55:49.445 We're one month away from celebrating the best day in human history, 691 00:55:49.446 --> 00:55:51.245 the resurrection of Jesus to Easter. 692 00:55:51.265 --> 00:55:54.325 Are we excited about the resurrection of Christ coming up in just a few short 693 00:55:54.326 --> 00:55:56.205 weeks that we celebrate and we really want to, 694 00:55:56.206 --> 00:56:00.285 we really wanna encourage you to participate in the Easter season where we live 695 00:56:00.286 --> 00:56:04.445 each and every single day of our life in the reality that Christ is no longer 696 00:56:04.555 --> 00:56:08.405 dead but alive. And so, as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Easter season, 697 00:56:08.655 --> 00:56:12.045 we're, we're gonna dive into something that we're calling the way. Uh, 698 00:56:12.265 --> 00:56:13.364 and in that we're gonna, 699 00:56:13.365 --> 00:56:17.085 we're gonna take a look at Jesus setting his face resolutely to Jerusalem, 700 00:56:17.086 --> 00:56:21.605 where he's betrayed unto the cross, where there is death into victory, 701 00:56:21.745 --> 00:56:26.605 and it's going to challenge us and call us into the way, the way of Christ. 702 00:56:26.625 --> 00:56:30.565 And so we're just so excited to take our church family through this next Easter 703 00:56:30.566 --> 00:56:33.165 season. And today as you make your way out, 704 00:56:33.166 --> 00:56:36.925 you'll actually be giving an an invitation. Listen, this is a great time, 705 00:56:37.364 --> 00:56:41.165 a great moment, an easy way to invite those that are in your life, 706 00:56:41.495 --> 00:56:43.364 where you live, where you work, where you play, 707 00:56:43.385 --> 00:56:45.765 to invite them to join you for Easter. 708 00:56:45.766 --> 00:56:50.605 And you can go to get hope.net/easter to reserve seats just so we know who's 709 00:56:50.606 --> 00:56:54.325 coming so we can make sure that we're ready to share the hope that we have in 710 00:56:54.326 --> 00:56:55.965 Christ with those that we invite. 711 00:56:55.966 --> 00:57:00.125 So make sure as you leave today to grab your invite. We love you, 712 00:57:00.126 --> 00:57:02.445 hope Community Church, and we'll see you next week.