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“The Danger of Debt”

4 Mar

Here are the notes from the message preached March 4, 2012.  There was too much information to get through it all.  I trust that it will be a help and a blessing.

I Timothy 6:6-10

-Today’s consumer has a total of 13 obligations on record at a credit bureau.  Credit cards, store cards, installment loans.  9 are likely to be credit cards.

-The median US household income is $43,000 and the typical credit card balance is nearly 5% of their annual income.

-Median balance on credit cards is $2200.

-8.3% of households owe $9,000 or more on their cards.

-The typical 1st grader can evoke 200 brands and will accumulate an average of 70 new toys a year.

-40% of financial planners working with divorcing couples say that money is a “key factor” in the decision to divorce.

Neither this message or this series is intended to be an indictment on any single person.  It is simply intended to encourage each of us to live lives that will allow us to be all that God wants us to be.  To be free from the self-imposed bondage that keeps us from ever realizing the life that God intends for us.

Indicators that you may be in bondage to debt:

1. You are living month to month

2. You are paying the minimum payments

3. You are moving balances instead of repaying balances

4. You are unable to give or tithe or respond to the call of God on your life.

Using money well and staying out of the bondage that debt can create requires:

I. A content heart (6-8)

We live in a society that teaches us to feel entitled.  We deserve things and the world owes us things.  Much of what takes place politically is not truly political but a reflection of our spiritual condition.  We believe that the government should take care of us when we stop believing that God can and will take care of us.  There is a lack of contentment in our lives because we have come to believe that if others have things that we do not that there is something inherently unfair about that.

To get out of debt you may just have food and clothing for awhile!

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

Colossians 3:5 ¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Greed is idolatry! It is lifting something up above your relationship with God.

Living simply is to live freely.

There is a whole world dedicated to taking away your contentment.  Some say that the economy exists by such.  It is creating idolatry.

Money and things are a competitor to your heart’s desire to love God.

You must choose to either serve God or serve money.  Choosing to get into debt is putting yourself in the precarious position of serving money.

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

II. A cautious spirit (9)

I believe that we are provided by God, if we are willing to do the things that God tells us to do, all that we need to be and accomplish what he wants us to accomplish.

There are financial traps that we can fall into however, that can put us in a place where the resources provided to us by God are not enough to maintain that life that we have decided to live.

1. Presuming on the future

Proverbs 27:1 ¶ Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2. Spending wants before needs

Proverbs 21:17 ¶ He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

3. Poor planning

Proverbs 21:5 ¶ The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

4. Living beyond your means

Ecclesiastes 5:11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

5. Never having enough

Proverbs 11:28  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

III. A correct view of money (10)

Not something to love, but a part of life. Not love but a test of your loyalty and wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Proverbs 11:28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

So what do you do?

1. Put God first.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

-This is understanding the ownership of God.

Ask these questions to know if you have put God first:

a. Am I presuming on God by buying this today?

b. Would God be honored and I learn patience if I saved up for this?

2. Analyze your situation

Proverbs 27:23  Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.

3. Stop Borrowing!

Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Decide, “If I cannot pay for it yet, than I do not need it.”

4. Make a payback plan

a. Little by little

b. Double payments

c. Sell off if you need to

d. Pay higher interest first.

Psalm 37:21 The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.

5. Get back under the Lordship of Christ

Matthew 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Conclusion

Ultimately Debt is a spiritual issue.  The question always comes back to the same thing for a Christian:  “Who am I serving and living for?  For Christ or for myself.”

How we spend our money and the things that we allow to have us in bondage answers that question.

Wherever you may be today on this issue, decide that you will surrender every area of your life to the Lord and trust Him to provide for you.

Reject the modern convenience of debt and begin moving down the path to financial freedom.

“A Christmas Meeting”

6 Dec

Last night I was privileged to be a part of  a very important meeting.  The mood was serious and each person at the table had an agenda that they were trying to press. Often the job of the meeting moderator, a job that I fulfilled, is to simply find common ground that everyone at the table can agree on. This is easier said than done but with enough time and energy can typically be achieved. There was a great deal at stake but I think that we came out OK. This was the annual Stalnecker family Christmas meeting.

Each year our family sits down together to plan the weeks in the month of December that lead up to Christmas.  Each person in the family, regardless of age, has an opportunity to share what they would like to do and then, in a very democratic fashion, we vote on our favorites. I am inclined to use Everett’s vote as the “swing” since, as a two year old, he will vote with me every time. For the most part though, we do try to work everyone’s Christmas activities into the agenda for the coming weeks.

While I understand that Christmas is foremost an opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior and to lift up God, a fact that we work deliberately to teach our children, this season does present some very unique family activity opportunities.  In an attempt to make the most of these opportunities we have a family meeting so that we are able to enjoy the time together.  Having a meeting accomplishes the following:

1. Everyone in the family has the opportunity to be a part of the planning process and tell what they would like to do.

2. We are able to set specific dates to activities so that time does not pass while we say, “We will do that later.”

3. Laying out a plan gives everyone something to look forward to.

4. We are able to make deliberate, meaningful family memories.

5. Much of the inherent stress of the season is removed because we have a plan.

We must not forget that Christmas is first and foremost about celebrating the birth of our Savior and Redeemer.  I look forward to the many opportunities over the next few weeks that we will have to do exactly that.  I am thankful as well that there will be special opportunities to spend time with my family and make some great memories.

The meeting was tough, and the personalities were tougher, but I am confident that the planning will all pay off in the end.

“An eternal purpose”

6 Dec

We all want to live for something that matters. I believe that even though the fast pace of life tends to keep us from thinking too much about the things that “really” matter, in our clearer moments we all know that we have finite opportunities to really invest our lives.  We need to be careful to understand that the only way that we can invest in an eternally significant way is as we invest in the work of the Lord and serve Him with our lives.  The Bible says this of Jesus:

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

With this in mind we understand that even though there are many good things that we can be involved in, only that which is done for Christ really matters.  The following are three reasons that we can be confident in our eternal investment as we serve the Lord.

I. He is Eternal

 John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

 Ephesians 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

II. His work on earth was eternal

 John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

III. He is our Goal

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Will the things that you are living for today matter in eternity? You will never regret living your life for the Glory of God!

“Faith is”

2 Mar

How do we define faith?  If faith is essential in the life of a person that pleases God as we have seen in Hebrews 11:6, than our understanding of a proper definition of faith is also essential.

Fortunately, the Bible not only tells us that faith is essential, it gives us a clear definition of what God pleasing faith really is.

Over the course of this three message series we will use the following definition as our working definition of faith:

“Biblical faith is seeing the invisible by taking God at His Word.”

I. Faith is substance 11:1-2

“Substance of things hoped for”

The substance of faith is the way that we live in light of that thing which is hoped for.  For the believer, we have a confident assurance, a biblical hope, that we will one day stand complete in heaven with God and that the ultimate victory is His.  This hope causes our lives to live for Him, victoriously regardless of the situation that our physical eyes may perceive.  We see the invisible and live according to it.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Hope is something that is certain but not yet realized.

“Faith is seeing the invisible, not the non-existent” –AW Tozer

2Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

II. Faith is evidence 11:1,3

“Evidence of things not seen”

“Faith does not believe in spite of the evidence, it believes because of the evidence.”

Our faith is not based on a mystical belief or unrealistic fantasy, it is based upon the words of a God that has reveled Himself through creation and given direction through His Word.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

We understand that creation demands a creator.  We have confidence in this creator and His words!

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Faith is seeing the invisible, but it is seeing by taking God at His word because of the evidence that He has provided to us.  We will continue to look at this definition, but what a blessing to understand that our faith is not foolish or unfounded but is founded on the evidence of God and His Word.

To hear the rest of this message please visit: www.bayareabaptist.org

“The Work of Faith”

2 Mar

From Hebrews 11:6 we have looked at the necessity of faith and the great blessing that is faith.  Today, I would like for us to look at the final aspect of this necessary faith that is dealt with in verse 6, “The Work of Faith.”

Faith is not one of those things that some have and some do not. It is something that can be developed as we follow the Bible plan for growing in this area.

What is the work that leads to a productive faith life?

I. The faith life requires diligence and focus

1. Diligence

Anything of value requires hard work.  We understand this in every area of life but somehow think that our Christian life is different.

To be  a person of faith and therefore a person that pleases God requires faith.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

You cannot hear the Word of God without diligence.  We think that simply knowing people of faith or being in a place where faith is talked about is good enough.  We must hear the Word of God if we are going to grow in our ability to trust God for who He is.

2Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Proverbs 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

2. Focus-Everything in life must fall under your pursuit of God

Ecclesiastes 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

We dabble.  We play at Christianity and we play at having a life of faith.  We exercise only small amounts of faith and call that good.  We often use the excuse that there are just so many other things to be involved in that we cannot be entirely focused on our faith life. While faith and Christianity are intended to be practical, we must understand that when our relationship with God is right, and our lives are being lived by faith, having entire confidence and hope in Him, than every other area in our lives will be right as well.

-Family will be right

-Work/Other relationships will be right

-Finances will be right

Because a good Christian follows the Word of God and is a good spouse, parent, financial manager and employee.

II. Ultimate victory is the pursuit of God

It is the pursuit of God supremely that brings ultimate victory and success in our lives.

Success for a Christian is not in the final destination at which our life on this earth arrives, it is in living the journey of life investing in God’s work and His daily plan for our lives.

We will not be perfect.  We will not be without sin.  Life will not be without it’s ups and downs, it’s mountains and valleys, but the pursuit of God guarantees the victory.

Habakkuk 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 3:17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

1Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The life of faith is a life that we must live if we are going to please God.  The question really is this: Are we willing to do the hard work of growing in faith so that we can be what He wants us to be?

To hear the rest of this message please visit:  www.bayareabaptist.org

“The Blessing of Faith”

14 Feb

In this second message dealing with the question, “Why is faith important,” we move deeper into Hebrews 11:6 and look at the reward for the person of faith.  We have made the statement that, “Only that which is done by faith can please God.”  What then is the reward or blessing of a faith that pleases God?

I. Faith is the Victory-Faith is the reward.

1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

The ultimate reward or blessing for a believer is a home in heaven with God for all of eternity.  That should be the thing that motivates us and keeps us moving forward.  Our final destination.

But in terms of the destinations of our lives while we are here on earth, practically speaking, God’s blessing is not a particular outcome but understanding that I am doing what He wants me to do right now.

The blessing in the faith life is faith; actual confidence in God that results in:

-Peace

-Joy

-Contentment

When we find our contentment, peace, and happiness in knowing how it will all work out or what the conclusion will be, we are not living by faith and are therefore not pleasing God.

The greatest blessing that we can ever enjoy, this side of Heave, is the blessing of confidence in who God is and the path that He has set.

Having confidence in God and His plan removes:

-Anxiety

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

-Restlessness

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

-Confusion

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

*Faith does not remove the problem, but it does keep our focus on Him in the problem

Fear is the element that says, “I have to know before I can act.”

Peace is knowing that what I am doing right now is what God wants me to do right now and when He wants me to do something else;

1. He will tell me

2. I will do it.

II. Think steps not conclusions

Stop saying, “I need to know,” and start praying, “Lord, show me what is next.”

We get so wrapped up in the, “Need to know.” If we need to know then we are asking God to remove the need for faith.

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

Understanding the end from the beginning would cause us to put our confidence in an outcome that we can understand instead of on God.

Do what you know to do and allow Him to override your plan.

The only thing that we are responsible for is responding to the clear direction of God, what we know for sure.

1. Surrender to His will

2. Take the next step

Conclusion-

If only that which is done by faith can please God, than the things that we are involved in over the course of our lives that do not require faith do not please Him.  The faith life is one that will certainly have it’s challenges, but it is in this life that we are able to experience the greatest reward that we can experience this side of heaven: The peace, joy and contentment that comes from a confidence in God and who He is!

To hear the rest of this message please go to www.bayareabaptist.org.

“Mastering the Mundane”

31 Jan

Even though we like to live our lives for the big unforgettable moments most of our life consists of the seemingly less important, routine things that we deal with every day.  Of all the things that fill our calendars, most will be forgotten shortly after completion.

The key to a successful life though, is not doing the extraordinary well, it is in mastering those mundane moments that make up the bulk of our lives.  The sad truth is that most men know what to do when the pressure is on, but few know what to do when it is not.  Real victory in life comes from doing the mundane well.

In a society that is always looking for the next big thing, how do we do the mundane well?

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

I. Realize that it all matters

You are valuable and your life matters not because of some internal worth that you may or may not have, but because God loves you and wanted to have a relationship with you so badly that He sent His son to pay for your sin.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

If God loved you enough to purchase you with the blood of His son, than it is essential that we understand how important the life that He provides really is.  He did not save us to live a meaningless, empty life.  He saved us so that we could accomplish, by His power, the job that He has set before us.

II. Stop waiting for something big

Many of us have a tendency to miss what is going on in our lives now because we are constantly waiting for that one big thing to happen that is going to change our lives.

Stop waiting for that big thing that may or may not happen and may or may not be God’s will for your life. Commit yourself to being exactly what God wants you to be today.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

III. Be committed to excellence

Be committed to living an excellent life, valuing each moment as a gift from God and leave the future up to Him.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let us focus on being faithful in what we may consider small, insignificant and mundane, and allow God to choose the path that He wants us to take.

To hear the audio for this sermon please visit www.bayareabaptist.org.

“Family Matters”

26 Jan

How are you using your influence in the lives of the children that God has placed in your life?  When we decide that we are going to influence another generation to live for God, we are making an impact on a world that we may not even be alive to see.

In the midst of one of the great stories of the Bible, the story of David and Goliath, we have an example of some things that we need to teach the children in our lives so that they can be used in a great way for the Lord.  I am glad that Jesse taught his son these truths and pray that we would learn from his example.

What lessons did he teach young David?

I. To have faith in God-I Samuel 17:34-37, 45-46

1.  Faith saves:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2.  Faith supplies-We must teach our children that they can depend on God to supply their needs.  We will not succeed according to our fortune, friends, fame, feelings, etc.  But according to our faith.

Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Psalm 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

II. To fight for the truth-I Samuel 17:33-36

Jude 1:3  Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

The fights of life must be met head on.  There is no safe area when fighting the Giants that we must face!

Do our kids know what it is that we value highly enough to fight for?

-Our Savior (Our relationship to Him)

-Our Families (Their spiritual condition, etc.)

III. To finish the race -I Samuel 17:49-51

2Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Let’s determine to use our influence to teach the necessary lessons of faith, fighting and finishing to the children that will one day change the world for the glory of God.

If you would like to hear the audio of this message please visit the media page of Bay Area Baptist Church.

“Where is Your Heart?”

17 Jan

I am thankful that if we will honestly and diligently seek Lord and His purposes, that He will place within us the vision and direction for our lives that He has uniquely equipped each one of us to accomplish.  There are things that we all must do but there are also those things that God desires for us as individuals to accomplish.

It is my firm belief that when God places a vision or direction into the heart of a person a family or a church, that he accompanies that vision with the necessary resources to accomplish it.  The problem with many is that although there may be a vision, the resources are not invested as God intends and are therefore wasted on things that will have little if any eternal value.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

How we use our God given resources, our treasure, is a good indication of where our heart truly is.  How do we invest the resources of time, opportunity, ability and finances in a way that supports a vision received from God and keeps our heart in His work?

I. Recognize the purpose

Everything that we do should be for the Glory of God:

1Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

II. Understand the priorities

1. God’s Glory

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

2. Accomplishing God’s purpose in your life

a. Those things given for everyone to do

b. Those things specific to you and your particular gifting

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

3. Being a blessing to others

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

*As he accomplished His purpose given to Him by God, the promise was that he would be a blessing.

4. Personal enjoyment

1Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

This is a list of priorities, but if we are doing these things the way that we should, we will accomplish all of them and they will work together for His Glory.

III. Avoid the pitfalls

Proverbs 13:7  There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.

1. Getting the priorities out of order

2. Self-centerdness (Drives misplaced prioraties)

3. Good intentions-Pull from others

Will you live to invest the resources that God has given in the vision that He has provided?  Where is your heart?

To hear the rest of this message please visit: http://bayareabaptist.org

“One Thing”

10 Jan

While there are things that every Christian is called to do, as members of the body of Christ, we have each been equipped in a different way to fulfill a necessary function within the Body.  It is necessary if we are ever going to live the life that Christ has saved us to live, to determine the one thing above all others that we have been equipped to do.

The Apostle Paul explains that He lived for one thing in Philippians 3:13;

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”

How do we determine our “One Thing” and live in light of our particular gifting?

I. Understand that everything is for the glory of God

Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Our purpose in a big sense, the purpose of every purpose on this earth whether they know it or not is to give honor and glory to our creator.

II. Live in light of your unique purpose

You are unique!!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us….

God has made each of us different so that collectively we can accomplish the task of glorifying Him.

But how do I determine that “One thing?”

1. Do the things that the Word of God outlines as common to us all; a relationship with Christ, sharing the gospel, serving through the local church.

Genesis 24:27  I being in the way, the LORD led me..

2. Live to fulfill the big purpose of glorifying God.

3. Understand, accept and appreciate your particular equipping.

4. Follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

5. Embrace the opportunities that the Lord provides.

6. Don’t discount your abilities or covet that of someone else.

Make a commitment as we start a new year to let the Lord show you how he wants to use you to glorify Him. Get in the way and do the things that you know you should so that He can lead you in the path that is specific to your life.

Hear this message at http://bayareabaptist.org/a_media.html

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