Participants: Eleida Feliciano (Host)
Series Code: LOE
Program Code: LOE000032
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00:01 Harvest truly is plenteous,
00:03 but the laborers are few. 00:04 Pray Ye therefore, the Lord of the harvest, 00:06 that He will, He will send forth laborers 00:09 into His harvest. 00:10 Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 00:13 "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" 00:17 Then said, I. 00:19 "Here am I, send me, send me''. 00:23 Life on the Edge will enable you to be 00:25 an effective harvester for the Lord. 00:27 We now invite you into our classroom to come, 00:31 experience, Life. 00:43 Welcome to "Life on the Edge''. 00:45 For those of you who are joining us from home, 00:47 we're happy that you are able to join our class here 00:50 at the Lay Institute for Evangelism. 00:52 We've been learning how to teach 00:55 the different things that the Bible teaches. 00:57 And how to mark them on our Bible, 00:58 so wherever we go, we can teach this lessons 01:01 to those who are around you, around us. 01:04 This is your first time with us. 01:05 We want to encourage you to find your Bible 01:08 and a pencil and a notepad. 01:11 We're going to be learning the study 01:13 as well as marking it at the same time. 01:15 And we're going to have the references on the screen 01:17 but the texts are not gonna be there. 01:18 So we want you to join us as we read through Bible, 01:21 to make sure you take this time 01:22 and grab your Bible, grab a pencil. 01:24 So you can mark through the study with us. 01:27 If this is your first time, 01:28 we're coming to the end of the series. 01:29 We don't want you to miss out 01:31 on what we've covered so far. 01:33 If you come to our website 01:34 at www.ComeExperienceLife .com, 01:41 you can find out there how you can get 01:44 these presentations and even the notes 01:46 that we're using here. 01:48 Now we're going to be studying today about 01:50 Stewardship and this study we're going to mark 01:54 at St as we go through the Bible. 01:56 This is the code that we're going to use. 02:00 The purpose of the study is to show 02:02 that everything belongs to God 02:05 and as stewards we're responsible to Him. 02:09 We've been talking about how important it is 02:11 for every study to be center in Christ 02:13 and as we center the study in Christ. 02:15 We see that Jesus gave all and wants us to be 02:19 closer to Him through our willingness 02:20 to be faithful with what He has given. 02:25 And we're going to go through 17 texts in the study. 02:28 These are the texts that we're going to be using. 02:30 You want to make sure you have these texts 02:32 as a reference either on the front of your Bible 02:34 or the back of your Bible. 02:36 So that when you want to, you're gonna to give 02:38 a Bible study on the Stewardship, 02:40 you're able to find those texts right away. 02:42 Now we're going to be studying what the Bible 02:45 teaches about Stewardship. 02:46 But before we open the word of God, 02:47 as we've learned the Bible was inspired 02:50 by the Holy Spirit. 02:52 And as we study it, we want the Holy Spirit 02:53 to be the one guiding us through the lessons. 02:56 So we're going to pray for the guidance 02:58 of the Holy Spirit at this time. 03:00 Let us pray. 03:01 Dear Lord and heavenly Father, 03:03 we thank you for the privilege of studying Your word. 03:06 We thank you Lord that we're able to open our Bibles 03:09 and freely be able to study and discuss it. 03:13 And Lord we pray for your Holy Spirit 03:15 to give us wisdom and clarity of mind. 03:18 Lord, we pray for the power of Your word 03:20 to be able to penetrate our hearts and our minds 03:23 and to change and transform us. 03:25 These things we pray in the name of Jesus, amen. 03:29 Stewardship, as we study about Stewardship, 03:33 there is a very important principle 03:35 that we've to establish from the very beginning. 03:37 We're gonna find this principle 03:39 in Deuteronomy Chapter 10. 03:41 And we're gonna be reading verse 14. 03:43 Deuteronomy Chapter 10 verse 14. 03:46 This is the very first text of our study. 03:49 And we're gonna mark it 1St. 03:52 And we draw a line, 03:53 above the line you have nothing since we just started. 03:56 And below the line we're going to be going to 03:59 Genesis 1:26 after this, 04:01 you're gonna write Genesis 1:26. 04:04 We're on Deuteronomy Chapter 10 verse 14. 04:10 Gloria, could you read that first please. 04:19 "Indeed heaven and the highest heavens, 04:24 belongs to the Lord your God, 04:26 also the earth with all that is in it." 04:31 Thank you Gloria. 04:32 Here in this verse what it tells us that 04:35 everything in the earth belongs to who? To God. 04:38 To God, it says the earth 04:39 and everything in it belongs to God. 04:42 We're gonna look very quickly this text is 04:44 not on your notes, but we're gonna look 04:48 quickly at Psalms 24, verse 1. 04:51 It tells us a little clear even what 04:55 that everything belongs to God 04:57 here in Chapter 24 verse 1 of Psalms, 05:02 Chapter 24 verse 1. I'm gonna read that one 05:05 it says "The earth is the Lord's, 05:08 and the fullness thereof, the world, 05:10 and they that dwell therein." 05:14 Everything on the earth, the Lord, it says, 05:17 even then that dwell in therein. 05:19 So that means we even, we belong to the Lord. 05:23 Everything on the heavens, 05:25 everything on the earth, 05:26 everything belongs to the Lord. 05:29 Now when you are talking about 05:31 let's think about our business. 05:32 Who usually makes the decisions in a business? 05:37 The boss, the owner, okay. 05:39 Now what we see that a lot of times 05:41 when people have many possessions, 05:44 they put someone in charge of those possessions 05:46 and that person is called steward. 05:47 A steward is someone who takes care 05:49 of someone else's possession. 05:51 We just saw that God is the owner of all, everything. 05:56 So He had more possessions 05:57 that any of us could ever have. 05:59 So He too assigned someone to be His steward 06:03 to take over and to look over His possessions. 06:08 And as the owner, He is the one 06:10 that has the right to make decisions 06:12 on how these things are being used. 06:13 So we're gonna look at to see who God designed 06:17 to be the steward of His possessions. 06:20 Genesis Chapter 1 verse 26. 06:23 Genesis, the first book of the Bible. 06:25 We're looking at Chapter 1 verse 26. 06:29 This is the second text of our study. 06:32 At the end of this reference 06:33 you are going to mark 2St, 06:36 which has came from Deuteronomy 06:38 Chapter 10 verse 14. 06:40 that goes above the line 06:41 and below the line you are going to be marking 06:43 Malachi Chapter 3 verses 8 through 10, 06:46 that's where we will be going after that. 06:48 We're at Genesis Chapter 1 verse 26. 06:52 Scott, can you read that first please. 06:54 "Then God said, Let us make man in our image, 06:58 according to our likeness, 07:00 let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, 07:04 over the birds of the air and over the cattle, 07:07 over all the earth, and over every creeping thing 07:10 that creeps on the earth." Thank you Scott. 07:14 According to this verse, 07:16 what did God do here? Gave man dominion. 07:20 Gave man dominion over everything. 07:22 Man here, Adam here was representing mankind 07:26 and God gave him dominion over everything. 07:29 He had just created the world, 07:30 that all belongs to Him and He left it for man 07:34 to take care of it. 07:36 So we understand that everything belongs to God, 07:39 and God assigned man as the steward of it. 07:43 Now we're gonna look at the Bible to see 07:45 what the Bible says, God requires of us 07:49 as stewards of His possessions. 07:51 We're gonna look first up Malachi Chapter 3 07:54 and we're gonna be reading verses 8 through 10. 07:56 Malachi Chapter 3 verses 8 through 10. 08:00 Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. 08:04 Malachi Chapter 3 verses 8 through 10. 08:09 This is the third text of our study. 08:12 At the end of this reference, 08:13 you're gonna mark 3St above the line 08:16 Genesis 1:26, that's where we came from 08:19 and we will be going 08:20 to Nehemiah Chapter 10 verses 37 and 38. 08:24 We're in Malachi Chapter 3 verses 8 through 10. 08:29 Tom, can you read that first please. 08:31 "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me. 08:35 But you say, in what way have we robbed you? 08:38 In tithes and offerings. 08:40 You are cursed with a curse, 08:42 for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. 08:45 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, 08:47 that there may be food in my house, 08:50 and try me now in this as the Lord of hosts, 08:54 if I will not open for you 08:55 the windows of heaven, 08:57 and pour out for you such blessing, 08:59 that there will not be room enough even to receive it." 09:02 Thank you, Tom. 09:04 As we look at this passage here, 09:07 what does it tell us that God is expecting us to do? 09:15 Bring tithe and offerings. What is the tithe? 09:19 Is a ten percent of all that we earn? 09:23 A tithe is a ten percent. 09:25 Now is that all that God is expecting of us. 09:29 His, an offering too. 09:31 This is the thanksgiving offering, 09:33 a free will offering that's beyond what the tithe is. 09:36 And that He leave it to us to give 09:38 as we're thankful, so He has not designed 09:41 a specific amount. 09:43 Now as we look at this text. 09:46 What does God consider those who do not bring 09:50 the tithe and the offering? Robbers and thieves. 09:57 Now if you considered a robber and a thief, 09:59 isn't that breaking one of the commandments? 10:02 Yes. Which One? 10:04 Thou shall not steal, thou shall not steal. 10:07 Now we learned that if we break 10:08 one of the commandments we break all, 10:10 so this is a serious matter. 10:12 When God is expecting us to bring a tithe 10:14 and our offerings and we do not do that, 10:17 then we're considered to be thieves. 10:21 So we've broken a commandment. 10:25 Now in here it tell us to bring 10:27 the tithe and offerings, 10:28 where does it say to bring it? 10:30 To the storehouse. To the storehouse. 10:32 Now what is this storehouse? 10:33 Could it be a room in my house? 10:35 Could it be my bank account? 10:38 Now as good Bible students, 10:39 we're gonna find out 10:40 what the Bible says is thestorehouse? 10:42 Where does the Bible tells us to bring 10:44 the tithe and the offerings. 10:46 We're gonna go to Nehemiah Chapter 10 10:49 verse 37 and 38. 10:51 Nehemiah is in the Old Testament if you go, 10:54 if you open your Bible right in the middle 10:55 you're probably following Psalms 10:57 and you're gonna go two books back, 10:59 that's Nehemiah. And we're going to look 11:02 at Chapter 10 verse 37 and 38. 11:08 This is the fourth text of our study, 11:11 you're gonna mark at 4St. 11:15 We just came from Malachi 3, 11:17 8 through 10 and we're going to be, 11:19 going to Luke 21 verses 1 through 4. 11:23 We're in Nehemiah Chapter 10. 11:26 Nehemiah Chapter 10 verses 37 and 38. 11:32 Jessica, could you read that first. 11:36 I don't have. Is someone there 11:41 that could read it for us? 11:46 Tom, can you read that for us, please. 11:48 37, 38. We're in Nehemiah 11:50 Chapter 10 Verse 37 and 38. 11:53 "To bring the firstfruits of our dough, 11:55 our offerings, the fruit from all kinds of trees, 11:58 the new wine and oil, to the priests, 12:02 to the storerooms of the house of our God 12:05 and to bring the tithes of our land to the Levites, 12:09 for the Levites should receive the tithes 12:11 in all our farming communities. 12:14 And the priest, the descendant of Aaron, 12:16 shall be with the Levites, 12:20 when the Levites receive tithes 12:22 and the Levites shall bring up 12:24 a tenth of all the tithes to the house of our God, 12:28 to the rooms of the storehouse." 12:30 Thank you. Here, where does it say 12:32 that this storehouse is? 12:36 God's house which we-- Today we call it the church. 12:41 Okay, so we're to bring the tithe and offerings 12:44 to God's house, the church. 12:48 Now some of us may think well, you know, 12:50 I cannot trust the church, 12:52 because the church today, 12:53 they just do not use money well. 12:55 They use it in a wrong way 12:57 and so instead I'm gonna keep that money, 13:01 I'm gonna put it separate. 13:02 And when I see someone in need, 13:03 I'll give it to them. 13:06 But God has told us, to take the money 13:11 and bring it to the storehouse. 13:13 And it says here that, that is God's house. 13:17 Now has He left it to us to decide what to do with it? 13:22 No, it's made clear, but let's look out what Jesus 13:25 says when He sees, when He sees that the church 13:29 in a prosthesis, in the worse condition 13:31 that it could have been. 13:32 And what He thinks about bringing the offerings 13:37 to the church in that condition. 13:38 We're gonna look at Luke Chapter 21 13:41 verses 1 through 4. 13:42 Luke Chapter 21, Luke in the New Testament 13:46 Matthew, Mark, Luke, Chapter 21. 13:53 And we're going to be reading verses 1 through 4. 13:58 This is the fifth text of our study, 14:01 you are going to mark 5St. 14:04 We just came from Nehemiah Chapter 10 14:07 verses 37 and 38. 14:10 We will be going to Deuteronomy 14:12 Chapter 8 verse 18. 14:15 We're in Luke Chapter 21 verses 1 through 4. 14:20 Shalida, could you read that first? 14:23 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men 14:25 casting their gifts into the treasury. 14:28 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting 14:31 in thither two mites. 14:34 And he said, of a truth I say unto you, 14:37 that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all. 14:41 For all these have of their abundance 14:45 cast in unto the offerings of God, 14:48 but she of her penury hath cast in 14:51 all the living that she had." 14:53 Thank you, Shalida. 14:54 Here we see a widow that comes to the temple. 14:58 And she gives how much? Two mites. 15:01 Two mites above two pennies. 15:03 And Jesus says that this is all that she has, 15:06 so she gave everything that she had. 15:08 Now this is the church, that was plotting 15:13 to kill Jesus and Jesus knew this. 15:17 When He saw this woman giving everything that she had. 15:22 Did she come and say, no don't do that, 15:23 don't give the money to the church, 15:25 don't you see the church is misusing it. 15:27 Your need, keep it yourself 15:29 or give it to someone else, is that what He said. 15:32 No, Jesus instead commended the woman 15:37 for bringing her offering. 15:40 He knew the condition of the church. 15:44 And yet He commended the woman for giving. 15:48 So the Bibles made it clear, 15:50 God has made us steward of His possessions 15:56 and He expects us to bring a tenth of our earnings 16:00 to the house of God. 16:03 And to bring offerings as He blesses us, 16:08 and to leave it to Him. 16:11 It is not for us to judge what happens with that. 16:13 God will judge each individual. 16:17 Now our part is to give and to give 16:19 with a cheerful heart. 16:22 Now we see here that we've seen here 16:28 the importance of giving. 16:31 But some may say well, when God says everything 16:37 belongs to Him, but the money that I make really 16:40 belongs to me, because I'm the one 16:41 that goes to work and makes the money. 16:44 You know, if I don't work, no money comes, 16:47 so it's my money, it's not really God's. 16:50 But let see what the Bible says about that. 16:52 We're gonna look at Deuteronomy 16:54 Chapter 8 verse 18. 16:56 Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. 16:59 Deuteronomy, fifth book of the Old Testament, 17:04 we're looking at Chapter 8 verse 18. 17:09 This is the sixth text of our study. 17:12 We're gonna mark at the end of this reference 6St. 17:16 We just came from Luke 21 verses 1 through 4. 17:20 And we will be going to Mark 17:22 Chapter 10 verses 17 through 30. 17:25 We're reading now Deuteronomy 17:27 Chapter 8 verse 18. 17:30 Roberto, can you read that for us please. 17:33 "And you shalt remember the Lord your God, 17:37 for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, 17:43 that he may establish his covenant which he swore 17:47 to your father, as it is this day." 17:52 Thank you, Roberto. 17:53 Here it tells us that God gives us 17:55 the power to get wealth. 17:59 So even the strength that we've to go work, 18:01 it comes from, from God. 18:04 The fact that we're alive right now, 18:07 it's only because of the power of God. 18:10 So we cannot say that anything 18:13 that we've really belongs to us, 18:15 even our own lives, 18:17 it comes from God himself. 18:21 Now let us look at a story here 18:23 that will show us in a clear way 18:25 this concept of stewardship. 18:27 We're going to be going to the book of Mark, Chapter 10. 18:31 And we're gonna be reading verses 17 through 30, 18:34 Mark in the New Testament, 18:36 second book of the New Testament 18:37 Matthew, Mark. And we're going to Chapter 10, 18:45 reading verses 17 through 30. 18:48 This is the seventh text of our study, 18:53 you're gonna mark 7St. 18:55 We just came from Deuteronomy 18:58 Chapter 8 verse 18 18:59 and we will going to Luke 19:02 Chapter 14 verse 33. 19:05 We're now Mark Chapter 10 verses 17 through 30. 19:11 Gloria, could you read verses 17 through 23. 19:18 Mark Chapter 10, starting in verse 17 through verse 23. 19:28 Now as He was going out on the road, 19:32 one came running, knelt before Him, 19:35 and asked Him, "Good Teacher, 19:38 what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" 19:41 So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? 19:46 No one is good but One, that is, God. 19:50 You know the commandments, 19:51 'Do not commit adultery,' 19:53 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 19:57 'Do not bear false witness,' 19:59 'Do not defraud,' 20:01 'Honor your father and your mother.' 20:04 " And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, 20:08 all these things I have kept from my youth." 20:11 Then Jesus, looked at him, loved him, 20:15 and said to him, "One thing you lack, 20:19 Go your way, sell whatever you have 20:23 and give it to the poor, 20:25 and you will have treasure in heaven, 20:28 and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." 20:34 But he was sad at this word, 20:37 and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 20:42 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, 20:46 "How hard it is for those who have riches 20:50 to enter the kingdom of God!" 20:53 And the disciples were astonished at His words. 20:57 But Jesus answereth again, and saith to them, 21:03 Children, how hard it is for those who trust 21:07 in riches to enter the kingdom of God." 21:11 Okay let's stop right there. 21:13 Now here we've a young man who comes to Jesus. 21:18 This young man ask the question that many of us 21:21 have had at some point in our life. 21:23 What do I have to do to be safe? 21:26 And Jesus begins to list the Ten Commandments. 21:30 This young man has known and follow them 21:33 since he was a youth. 21:34 And then Jesus asks them to do a great thing. 21:37 He asks them to give up all his possessions 21:40 to sell them and give them away. 21:43 And this young man he says, 21:47 and he was sad at the saying and went away grieved. 21:51 He went away grieved, 21:53 because he had great possessions. 21:58 In verse 21 it says, 22:00 "Then Jesus beholding him loved him." 22:03 Can you imagine Jesus here, 22:04 He loved this young man, 22:06 this young man comes and asks Him. 22:09 How to have salvation, Jesus response to him 22:12 and he chooses to hold onto his possessions, 22:18 instead of receiving the salvation 22:20 that Jesus had offered him. 22:22 This must have broke Jesus heart, 22:27 to see this young man He says, He loved him, 22:30 to see him walk away without the precious 22:33 salvation that He has for him. 22:36 Could you read verse 25 for us please? 22:40 Gloria, yes. 22:43 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye 22:46 of a needle, than for a rich man 22:49 to enter into the kingdom of God." 22:51 Now this saying right here really left 22:54 the disciples perplexed. 22:57 Here Jesus uses an illustration 22:59 and in this illustration He uses the camel, 23:02 one of the largest animals in Palestine. 23:05 And the eye of a needle, one of the smallest 23:09 openings known to the Jews of that time. 23:13 And He says it will be easier for this 23:16 large animal to go through this small opening, 23:20 than for a rich man to come to go to heaven. 23:25 What Jesus is explaining right here, 23:28 it's an impossibility. 23:31 It is impossible for a camel 23:34 to go through the eye of a needle. 23:36 Instead the disciples were concerned 23:39 as many of us could be as we read this because, 23:42 what about Abraham, and David, and Job, 23:46 who had great possessions 23:47 that they're not gonna be safe, 23:48 is that what Jesus is saying. 23:50 No. Praise the Lord that Jesus had not leaved 23:53 the disciples confused, 23:54 He continued by saying, 23:57 could you read now verses 26 and 27. 24:02 "And they were greatly astonished, 24:05 saying among themselves, ''Who then can be saved''? 24:09 But Jesus looked at them and saith, 24:11 ''With men it is impossible, 24:14 but not with God, 24:15 for with God all things are possible." 24:19 Thank you, Gloria. 24:21 Here He says with men it is impossible, 24:25 with men it is impossible, 24:26 If a man has riches, 24:29 for him it is impossible to go to heaven. 24:32 But then He says, 24:33 but with God all things are possible. 24:38 So when we surrender our riches to God, 24:42 then our riches are well, 24:44 as well as ourselves are with God. 24:46 And with God, all things are possible. 24:50 But if we choose to hold onto the riches 24:53 and to the things of this world. 24:55 It will be impossible for us to make into heaven. 24:59 With God, all things are possible. 25:02 If our riches, if our possessions, 25:04 if everything that we belong, 25:05 if our lives are in God's hands. 25:09 It is possible for us to make it to heaven. 25:12 If they're not, it is impossible. 25:16 Now when we put all of our things our possessions, 25:22 our riches in God's hand that means, 25:24 they belong to Him now. 25:26 And He chooses what to do with them. 25:31 It means that now we've to be willing to give it all 25:36 if He asks for it all, 25:39 or to give whatever He asks for it, 25:41 that is given all to Jesus. 25:46 Now when we're holding to them, 25:48 to holding onto this, to these riches, 25:51 to the things of this world, 25:53 what we're doing is rejecting the salvation 25:55 that Jesus came to give us. 25:57 We're gonna read few more verses here 28 through 30, 26:01 Shalida, can you read those for us? 26:03 verses 28 through 30. 26:08 "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, 26:11 we've left all, and have followed thee. 26:14 And Jesus answered and said, 26:15 Verily I say unto you, 26:17 There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, 26:21 or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, 26:24 or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's. 26:28 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, 26:31 houses, and brethren, and sisters, 26:34 and mothers, and children, and lands, 26:37 with persecutions and in the world to come eternal life." 26:42 Thank you, Shalida. 26:43 Here Jesus give us the promise 26:45 to those who are willing to give all, 26:46 all, not just your possessions 26:47 but even leave mother and father 26:50 if necessary to follow Jesus. 26:52 And He says, you shall receive a hundredfold, 26:56 anything you give up for Christ, 26:58 you're gonna receive even greater blessings from Him. 27:01 So we should not be afraid of that which God 27:05 asks from us because we're gonna receive 27:06 greater things from Him. 27:09 We're going to look at this idea of giving 27:12 all to see truly what the Bible means 27:15 by giving all to Jesus. 27:17 We're going to look at the book of Luke, 27:20 Chapter 14 verse 33. 27:23 Luke 14 verse 33 that is a next book Luke 14 verse 33. 27:35 This is the eighth text in our study, 27:37 you're gonna mark it 8St. 27:40 We just came from Mark 10 verses 17 through 30. 27:44 And we will be going to Luke Chapter 5 27:47 verse 27 through 29. 27:50 We're now in Luke Chapter 14 verse 33. 27:56 Scott, can you read that for us? Sure. 27:58 Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not 28:02 forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple." 28:08 Now here he is saying for us to be considered 28:11 disciples of God, what do we've to do? 28:13 Forsaketh all. Forsaketh all. 28:15 it says to give all. 28:17 So if we profess to be Christians, 28:19 and we're not giving it all, 28:20 are we really true Christians? 28:23 It says here, for you to be a disciple 28:26 you have to be forsaketh all. 28:27 Now let's continue to look at what this idea 28:29 forsaking all, given all is in Chapter 5 28:32 of the same book, we're still in Luke, 28:34 where we're going to look at 28:35 Chapter 5 verses 27 through 29. 28:39 Luke Chapter 5 verses 27 through 29. 28:43 This is a ninth text of our study, 28:46 you're gonna mark it 9St. 28:49 Above the line Mark 10:17 through 30 28:52 that's what we came from. 28:55 And below the line 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 28:58 correction on that, we just came from Luke. 29:02 So that you will have to fix that over there. 29:05 We're now in Luke Chapter 5 verses 27 through 29. 29:12 Tom, can you read that for us please. 29:14 "After these things he went out and saw 29:17 a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office 29:21 and he said to him, Follow me. 29:23 So he left all, rose up, and followed him. 29:27 Then Levi gave him a great feast in his own house, 29:31 and there were a great number of tax collectors 29:33 and others who sat down with them." 29:36 And their scribes and the Pharisees, 29:38 I'm sorry, I went one more. 29:41 That's fine. Now here we see that this Levi, 29:45 he come and says that, that Jesus came to him. 29:48 He calls him and says follow me, 29:50 and he says that he left all. 29:54 But then in the following verse it says, 29:57 that he made a great feast in his own house. 30:02 Now if he had given all, how come he has the house? 30:05 And how is he able to give a feast. 30:10 Now when God asks us to give it all, 30:12 it doesn't mean get rid of it all, 30:14 what it means is to surrender it all. 30:17 To giveth means, we live in His hands, 30:22 for Him to decide, for Him to take it 30:25 if He wants it or part of it, as He wants to 30:28 and when He wants to. 30:29 So we're just surrendering to Him 30:32 that does not necessarily mean we get rid of it all. 30:35 There might be times when He asks us like 30:37 He did the young ruler to give it all at once. 30:42 But we've to surrender it all to Him. 30:46 Now we established at the beginning, 30:48 before we started the study of stewardship, 30:51 that everything belongs to God. 30:53 And then we look in Psalms 24:1 it says, 30:57 even those who dwell on the earth, 30:59 even we belong to God. 31:01 When we talk about stewardship, 31:03 a lot of times we think of money, 31:05 but money is not all that God gave to us. 31:09 And He expects us to be good stewards of 31:11 everything that He gave us. 31:13 So we're gonna be looking at some other things 31:15 that God has put in our possession, 31:17 and what God wants us to do with these things? 31:21 Now, when we talk about money, 31:23 some people have a lot of money, 31:25 some people have a little bit of money. 31:28 But there is a something that God has given us 31:30 that we all have the same amount of-- 31:33 and that is time, one of God's greatest gift. 31:36 We all have the same amount of time in a day. 31:38 And God has specific things that He has told us 31:43 in His word that He wants us to do. 31:46 So we're gonna look at some of these things. 31:48 We're gonna begin by looking at 31:51 1st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 17, 31:55 1st Thessalonians Chapter 5 verse 17. 31:58 This is a 10th text of our study, 32:01 you're gonna mark it 10St. 32:03 We just came from Luke 5:27 through 29 32:06 and we will be going to John 5:39. 32:10 1st Thessalonians, in the New Testament 32:14 that is the first book of the T-section, 32:17 1st Thessalonians Chapter 5, 32:20 and we're going to be reading verse 17. 32:24 Roberto, could you read that for us? 32:27 "Pray without ceasing." "Pray without ceasing." 32:30 What does that mean to pray without ceasing? 32:34 Keep praying, it's without stopping constantly. 32:37 So one thing God wants us to do in our time 32:39 is to pray without ceasing. 32:41 Now this is a very important aspect of the Christian life. 32:44 And therefore we're gonna have a Bible study 32:46 just on this, and that's gonna be our next studies. 32:48 You don't want to miss that one. 32:49 But we wanted to make sure that we understand 32:52 God wants us to spend time in prayer. 32:57 And that's a very important aspect 32:59 of our walk with God. 33:02 Let's look out another aspect that He, 33:05 that God expects us to do with our time. 33:09 John Chapter 5 verse 39, John 5 verse 39. 33:15 John, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Chapter 5. 33:22 And we're going to be reading verse 39. 33:25 This is a 11th text of our study, 33:28 so you're gonna mark it at 11St. 33:30 We just came from 1st Thessalonians 33:32 Chapter 5 verse 17. 33:34 We will be going to Matthew Chapter 28 33:37 verses 18 through 20. 33:39 We're now in John Chapter 5 verse 39. 33:44 Jessica, could you read that for us? 33:46 "You search the scriptures because 33:48 you believe they give you eternal life." 33:51 But the scriptures point to me. 33:53 Thank you, Jessica. 33:55 Here God is telling us 33:56 that He wants us to do what? 33:58 Search the scriptures and He is talking to the Pharisees. 34:01 Now, He says you think you're gonna find 34:03 eternal life in the scriptures. 34:06 But it says what does the scriptures do? 34:10 It testify of me. 34:11 Where do we find salvation? 34:13 In Jesus, in Jesus. 34:15 Where do we, where do we hear about Jesus? 34:19 In the scriptures, in the scriptures. 34:22 Now the Pharisees, they have memorized the Bible, 34:26 they knew the scriptures and they thought 34:28 with that they have salvation, but was that enough? 34:31 No, because salvation is Jesus, 34:34 but we must search the scripture, 34:36 because it is in the scriptures 34:38 that we will find Jesus. 34:39 The scriptures testify of Him. 34:42 So God expects us to spend time 34:46 studying His word, to spend time studying His word. 34:50 Let's look at other aspects of our time 34:53 in Matthew Chapter 28. 34:56 Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. 34:59 Matthew Chapter 28, last Chapter of the book. 35:06 And we're going to be reading verses 18 through 20. 35:10 This is the 12th text of our study. 35:14 We just came from John Chapter 5 verse 39. 35:17 And we will be reading James 35:20 Chapter 1 verse 27 after this. 35:22 We're in Matthew Chapter 28 verses 18 through 20. 35:28 Shalida, could you read that for us? 35:31 "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 35:34 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 35:37 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, 35:40 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 35:42 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 35:44 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever 35:47 I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you alway, 35:50 even unto the end of the world. Amen." 35:53 Thank you, Shalida. 35:54 What does it tell us here that, 35:56 that God wants us to do with our time? 36:01 Go to all the nations and what? 36:03 Teach, teach them all things that He has commanded. 36:07 So He wants us to go, we re studying our word, 36:10 we're searching the scriptures and He wants us 36:13 then go and teach others, 36:14 the things that are found in His word. 36:18 We've to spend time, teaching others 36:21 about the word of God. 36:23 James 1:27, James 1:27. 36:31 After the T-section Hebrew, then James, 36:34 Chapter 1 verse 27. 36:40 This is the 13th text of our study, 36:44 you will mark it 13St. 36:46 We just came from Matthew 28 verses 18 through 20. 36:49 And we will be going to Matthew Chapter 25 36:52 verses 34 through 40. 36:55 We're in James Chapter 1 verse 27. 37:00 Gloria, could you read that for us? 37:03 "Pure and undefiled religion before God 37:07 and the Father is this, To visit orphans and widows 37:11 and their trouble, and to keep oneself 37:15 unspotted from the world." 37:18 Now here its talking about undefiled-- 37:22 pure and undefiled religion 37:24 and it describes it as doing what? 37:28 Visiting the fatherless and the widows. 37:34 God expects us to make time to minister 37:36 to those in need. 37:39 To be like a family to them, 37:41 those who are fatherless have lost their parent. 37:45 Those who are the widows have lost her husband, 37:48 we've to be like a family to those around us. 37:52 And God expects us to spend time, 37:54 that takes time. 37:56 But God expects us to spend time 37:58 doing these things. 38:01 Let's look at Matthew 25 verse 37 through 36. 38:05 Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. 38:09 Chapter 25, Matthew 25 verses 34. 38:17 I'm gonna read through verse 40, Matthew 25, 38:25 34 through verse 40. 38:27 This is the 14th text of our study, 38:30 we're going to mark it 14St. 38:33 We just came from James 1:27 and we will be going 38:35 to Romans 12, 4 through 11. 38:41 We're on Matthew 25 verses 34 through 40. 38:46 Matthew 25, 34 through 40. 38:50 Scott, could you read that for us? Sure. 38:53 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 38:56 Come, you blessed of My Father, 38:58 inherit the kingdom prepared for you 39:00 from the foundation of the world. 39:02 For I was hungry and you gave Me food, 39:04 I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, 39:07 I was a stranger and you took Me in. 39:10 I was naked and you clothed Me, 39:12 I was sick and you visited Me, 39:14 I was in prison and you came to Me. 39:17 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord, 39:19 when did we see You hungry and feed You, 39:22 or thirsty and give You drink? 39:24 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, 39:26 or naked and clothe You? 39:29 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to you? 39:32 And the King will answer and say to them, 39:35 Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it 39:39 unto the one of the least of these My brethren, 39:43 you did it unto Me." 39:45 Thank you, Scott. 39:46 Here Jesus describing the second coming, 39:50 He is talking about those who have been saved 39:54 and what does He described them doing. 39:58 Visiting people. Visiting people, helping them, 40:01 those who are in need in person, 40:03 those who are hungry, given them to eat, 40:05 give clothing those meeting the needs 40:07 of people, spending time with them. 40:11 God expects us to spend time with people, 40:16 meeting their needs. 40:17 And this is something that a lot of us say, 40:20 well, I don't have time to do. 40:22 I'd rather just give it to nation, 40:24 so that someone else can go. 40:26 But God is saying to us. 40:29 He here describing those who are save, 40:31 where those who took the time to minister to those in need. 40:36 And Jesus describe these as actually 40:39 ministering to Himself. 40:42 When we do something for someone in need, 40:44 we're doing it to Jesus Himself. 40:48 Now we can say, you know, how does God expect me 40:51 to spend time in prayer, to spend time in His word, 40:54 to teach others about His word and to spend time 40:57 ministering to, I just don't have time. 40:59 I have too much work and I've to take the kids to 41:03 soccer practice and then I've to take my other child 41:05 to piano lessons and this just too much to do. 41:10 Somebody else can do it, but everyone of us 41:14 have the same amount in a time in a day. 41:18 It is up to us as how we use His time, 41:22 how we prioritize. 41:24 Now God has given us certain things 41:27 that He expects us to do with our time. 41:29 Now it is not wrong to do these other things. 41:33 But those things need to be secondary, 41:35 that which God has made clear 41:38 that He wants us to do with our time, 41:42 We need to make sure 41:43 that there is time for these things things. 41:45 And then the time that is left we can use 41:48 for other things that we want to do. 41:50 But we want to make sure that's good stewards, 41:53 we're making good use of the time 41:55 that God has given us. 41:58 Now we're going to look at other things 42:00 that God has given us 42:01 and how He wants us to use them 42:04 for His honor and His glory. 42:05 Now God has given people talents or gifts, 42:08 and we're going to look at Romans Chapter 12 42:12 verse 4 through 11. 42:15 Romans Chapter 12 verse 4 through 11. 42:18 After the gospel's Chapter-- book of Acts 42:21 and then Romans Chapter 12. 42:26 And we're going to look at verses 4 through 11. 42:30 This is the 15th text of our study. 42:33 We just came from Matthew 25 verses 34 through 40. 42:37 And we will be going to Romans Chapter 12 verse 1 and 2. 42:42 We're now in Romans Chapter 12 42:45 verse 4 through 11. 42:48 Tom, can you read that for us please? 42:51 "For as we've many members in one body, 42:54 but all the members do not have the same function, 42:58 so we, being many, 43:00 are one body in Christ, and individually 43:03 members of one another. 43:05 Having then gifts differing according 43:07 to the grace that is given to us, let us use them, 43:12 if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion 43:15 to our faith, or ministry, let us use it 43:18 in our ministering, he who teaches, in teaching, 43:22 he who exhorts, in exhortation, 43:25 he who gives, with liberality, 43:28 he who leads, with diligence, 43:30 he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 43:33 Let love be without hypocrisy. 43:36 Abhor what is evil and cling to what is good. 43:39 Be kindly affectionate to one another 43:41 with brotherly love, in honor giving preference 43:44 to one another, not lagging in diligence, 43:47 fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." 43:50 Thank you, Tom. 43:51 Not lacking in diligence. 43:54 Here it begins by saying we've many members 43:58 in one body. 44:01 What is this body that is describing here, 44:04 the Church. It says Jesus is the head, 44:07 the body is His church and it says 44:09 there is many members in one body. 44:12 And all members have not the same office. 44:14 Not all members have the same part to play, 44:16 but they all have a part to play. 44:18 It's like the parts of the body. 44:20 Now if we've that body and we've the heart stops, 44:26 can the rest of the body work, no. 44:29 Each part has an, each part of the body has 44:33 an important job to do. 44:36 And as members of the body of Christ, 44:39 as Christians we too have 44:41 an important part to do in the church. 44:44 So God is expecting us to use the gifts 44:48 that He gave us, to help the work of the church. 44:54 So if we're going to church, 44:56 and we're sitting there and we're listening 44:58 to the sermon and then we leave home 45:01 and we say that was a good sermon 45:03 and that's all that we're doing, 45:05 God is saying to you today, you need to do more. 45:09 For those of us, those of you who are joining 45:12 from home, if you are not part 45:14 of the work of your church. 45:16 God is saying now, you must take part, 45:19 because you are part of the body of Christ. 45:23 God is expecting us to use the gifts 45:25 that He gave us in the work of the church. 45:28 We cannot leave that aside 45:31 and we must be diligent in the work of the church. 45:35 So God expects us to use that the gifts 45:37 that He gave us a talent for his for the Gospel 45:41 to go forward. 45:44 Now let's look at Romans, 45:45 right there in the same Chapter even. 45:48 But we're gonna look at verses 1 and 2, 45:51 Romans 1 and 2. 45:53 This is the 16th text of our study, 45:56 you're gonna mark 16St. 45:58 We just came from Romans 12 verses 4 through 11 46:03 and we will be going to Romans. 46:05 We're gonna be going to Romans 14 verse 8 after this. 46:10 We're now at Romans Chapter 12 verses 1 and 2. 46:15 Romans 12 verse 1 and 2. 46:18 Roberto, could you read that for us? 46:22 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, 46:26 by the mercy of God, that you present your body 46:30 a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, 46:35 which is your reasonable service. 46:39 And do not be conformed to this world, 46:42 but to be transformed by the renewing 46:47 of your mind, that you may prove 46:50 what is that good and acceptable 46:53 and perfect will of God." 46:56 Thank you, Roberto. 46:58 Here God is asking us to give what? 47:05 Our bodies as a living sacrifice. 47:10 Our bodies as a living sacrifice. 47:12 It says present your bodies as living sacrifice, 47:14 acceptable onto God. 47:17 So our bodies even we've to dedicate to God, 47:20 and to make sure that we're when we talk about sacrifice, 47:24 the sacrifice is that where offer 47:25 had to be without a spot. They have to be perfect. 47:30 And so we've to keep our bodies in good condition 47:34 to offer to God as a living sacrifice. 47:37 And in a future study we're actually going 47:39 to study a little bit more about this aspect of God 47:42 requirement of our bodies. 47:44 But we need to understand that this also 47:46 is something that God has given us, 47:49 and our God expects us to be good stewards 47:52 of our bodies, taking good care of our health. 47:54 So that we're able to be, to serve Him in a better way. 48:02 We're going to look now at Romans Chapter 14 48:07 verse 8, Romans 14 verse 8. 48:09 That's just one Chapter ahead Chapter 14 verse 8. 48:14 And this is the 17th text of our study. 48:18 This is we just came from Romans 12 verse 1 and 2. 48:22 And this is the last of our studies, 48:25 so we're gonna mark and below the line. 48:28 We're in Romans 14 verse 8, Romans 14 verse 8. 48:34 Shalida, could you read that for us? 48:39 "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, 48:42 and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, 48:46 whether we live therefore, or die, 48:48 we're the Lord's." Thank you, Shalida. 48:52 Here it says whether we live, 48:54 we live for the Lord. 48:56 So if we're living our lives should be for God. 48:59 And if we've to die, 49:01 we should be willing to die for Him as well. 49:05 In 1st Corinthians 10:31, it says, 49:08 "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 49:13 So in everything that we do, 49:14 everything that God has given us. 49:16 The way that we use our money, 49:17 the way that we use our time, 49:20 the way that we take care of our health, 49:22 our bodies, the talents that He has given us 49:24 everything that we do. 49:28 We should do to the honor and glory of God, 49:32 and for the salvation of others. 49:35 We're called to live for the Lord, 49:40 whether we live or die, that we do it for God. 49:46 Now as we think of that young man, 49:49 who came to Jesus and went away sorrowful, 49:54 not having received the salvation 49:58 that God has purchased for him 50:00 and was offering to him. 50:06 That young man decided to instead choose 50:09 the things of this world. 50:11 Now Jesus, is saying to you today surrender your life, 50:17 surrender your possessions, your time, 50:21 give it all to me. 50:22 Live for me and I will give you life eternal. 50:27 It's your desire today to be a good steward of everything 50:31 that God has given you to give your life 50:33 and everything that you have to the Lord. 50:38 To be willing to dedicate it all for Him 50:41 and to trust in Him, 50:43 so that you can have everlasting life. 50:47 Praise the lord. Let's have a word of prayer. 50:50 Dear Lord, Heavenly Father, 50:51 we thank you for the blessings that you give us 50:54 for all the things that you have given us, Lord 50:57 because even life itself comes from You, 50:59 and we thank you Lord that we're here alive. 51:03 Thank you for the health that You've given us, 51:05 for the possessions You've given us, 51:06 for the time and the people that You put in our lives. 51:08 And I pray dear Lord, that today You help us 51:12 to truly make a decision to surrender it all to you. 51:18 To give it all to you and to dedicate it 51:20 for your honor and your glory. 51:23 Lord, may we not choose to hold on to the things 51:26 that you've given us instead of the life eternal 51:30 that you have wanting to give us. 51:33 These things we pray in Jesus name, amen, amen. 51:37 We're gonna look at verse that comes up a lot 51:41 when you study with people about stewardship 51:46 brings the question and so we're gonna look at this 51:50 verse found in Matthew 23 verse 23, 51:53 Matthew 23 verse 23. 51:59 When you present the principle of tithe 52:03 and offerings, sometimes people say well that's 52:07 in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, 52:09 the New Testament teaches 52:10 that you don't have to do this, 52:11 and they use this verse to say that. 52:16 Can I've someone read that for us? 52:20 Shalida, could you read it? 52:22 We're in Matthew Chapter 23 and verse 23. 52:29 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! 52:32 For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, 52:36 and have omitted the weightier matters 52:38 of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith, 52:41 these ought ye to have done, 52:43 and not to leave the other undone." 52:45 Thank you, Shalida. 52:46 Now some people will say well, you know, he says, 52:48 woe unto you scribes that pay tithe of mint 52:52 and anise and the cummin. 52:53 Now they were very, very strict 52:57 about paying the tithe. 52:58 They pay tithe on everything. 52:59 They were very careful about these things. 53:01 And Jesus is saying to them, 53:03 woe unto you who pay the tithes. 53:05 So some people may think well, you know, 53:07 this is saying that now, you know, 53:09 they are just depending the salvation 53:10 on these things and you should not worry about that. 53:14 But then what we're doing is we're cutting of this text, 53:17 because if we look at the end of that 53:18 it says, it says these ought ye to have done, 53:24 and not to leave the other undone. 53:27 These you had to have done, 53:28 without leaving the other undone. 53:30 In another words, Jesus here is not telling them 53:32 not to pay tithe, not to give their tithe. 53:35 What He is saying is that this alone is not enough, 53:40 that they still have to do the other. 53:43 They have to have a mercy and faith, 53:45 these things have to be there. 53:49 But Jesus in no way here if you look at the text, 53:51 you know, that Jesus is not really saying 53:54 that they should not be pay tithe. 53:58 Now another problem that usually comes 54:00 with these studies, people will say well, you know, 54:03 right now as it is, I've a hard time 54:07 paying all of my bills. 54:08 I mean, I'm having to stretch my check, 54:11 I can barely make it. 54:13 How is it that I'm gonna be 54:15 giving tithe or offerings. 54:16 The Lord cannot expect me to do that 54:18 because I just don't have it. 54:21 When people come to, this is a very legitimate concern, 54:24 so we want to make sure that we assure 54:27 people with the word of God. 54:28 God has many promises to give us 54:31 and this would help us to be able to, 54:34 to make the steps that He is asking us to do. 54:37 One place that you can take him to is Matthew, 54:39 found in Matthew 2 Chapter 6. 54:42 Matthew Chapter 6, verses 24 through 34, 54:49 24 through 34. 54:52 Matthew Chapter 6, 24 through 34, it says, 54:56 "No man can serve two masters, 54:57 for either he will hate the one, 54:59 and love the other or else he will hold 55:01 to the one, and despise the other. 55:03 Ye cannot serve God and mammon." 55:05 Here you cannot serve God and money 55:08 or your possessions, your riches. 55:10 Then it says, "Therefore I say unto you, 55:12 Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, 55:16 or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, 55:20 what ye shall put on. 55:21 Is not the life more than meat, 55:24 and the body than raiment?" 55:27 Okay, now Jesus began by saying 55:28 you can't serve God and money. 55:30 And then He says take no thought, 55:31 don't worry about life or what you're gonna eat, 55:36 what you're gonna drink, 55:37 the things that we usually purchase with money. 55:39 Don't worry about these things. 55:41 And then He says, "Behold the fowls of the air, 55:44 for they sow not, neither do they reap, 55:47 nor gather into barns, 55:49 yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. 55:53 Are ye not much better than they? 55:57 Which of you by taking thought can add 55:59 one cubit unto his stature? 56:02 And why take ye thought for raiment? 56:04 Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, 56:07 they toil not, neither do they spin. 56:10 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon 56:14 in all his glory was not arrayed 56:17 like one of these things. 56:19 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, 56:23 which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, 56:28 shall he not much more clothe you, 56:31 O ye of little faith? 56:33 Therefore take no thought, saying, 56:36 What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? 56:40 or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 56:43 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek 56:48 for your heavenly Father knoweth that 56:51 ye have need of all these things." 56:53 Now that here He says that these are the things 56:56 that the Gentiles seek for. 56:58 Now do we as Christians need to eat. 57:01 Yes, do we need to be cloth? 57:03 Yes, its not that we don't need these things also 57:07 but we as Christians don't depend 57:09 on ourselves to receive these things, 57:11 that's what the Gentiles do 57:13 or those who do not believe in God. 57:15 But when we believe in God, 57:16 when we trusted in Him, then we don't have 57:19 to provide those things for ourselves. 57:21 It is God who provides for us. 57:25 And then He says "But seek ye first 57:26 the kingdom of God, and all his righteousness 57:30 and all these things shall be added unto you." 57:34 And this promise is for us too, 57:37 for you at home, 57:38 if you are having problems 57:40 with your situation, just trust it in God. |
Revised 2014-12-17