Tithing
Stewardship occurs 39 times in the bible, 7 of these are in the New Testament. Tithing has an ancient origin: Persia, Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, Rome. and China. Wherever we find a trace of man worshipping a supreme being we find a tithe or more given to the gods. Both a religious practice and a political taxation. Abraham and Melchizedek. Jacob pledge the tithe to God and 20 yrs. later remembered. Old Testament tithe is hard to define! I: Deuteronomy lists 3 different tithe. 1. The annual tithe on the increase of crops. A feast at Jerusalem. This tithe wasn’t given, but eaten and shared with the Levites. 2. The 3rd yr. tithe, which was in the towns and used the Levites, the so journer, the fatherless, and the widow. 3. The tithe of the 1st fruits taken to...
You are not Your Own
Corinthians 1 6:15-20, John 12:25, and Luke 12:20 No man can truthfully say that his life is his own and he can do with it what he pleases. I: No man is self-made or self-created. 1. God formed man of the dust of the ground. 2. He took a rib from Adam and made woman. 3. When man fell in sin God made a way back to the throne.4. Every breath we breathe, comes from the hand of God. 5. We belong to something and can’t long kick it. When a man gives up thinking of himself as a child of Eternity, and begins thinking of himself as a creature of time, he has lost the highest motive for living. II: We are not free to do as we please. 1. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. 2. We are renters in God’s house. 3. The man that planned for bigger barns...
Wheat and Tares in the Churches
Matthew 13:24-30, Revelation 2:4 The 7 Churches of Asia represents the churches of all the Church Age. As Christ judges these churches, they were a mixed society of good and evil. 6 out of 7 He severely condemned. 1 out of 7 He finds no fault. 1 He finds nothing right. Some Churches had lost their 1st love, some were false in their professions. We find that among the finest of Christians, there are those who love and act like the World. I: The 1st Churches had real opportunity. 1. The leaders had been with Jesus. 2. The mighty acts of the Son of God was fresh in their minds. 3. He preached a 1st hand experience. 4. These men were well prepared to get a Church on the right road! 5. But even these churches were beset with problems of Doctorine, Fellowship, Morals,...
“So Built we the Walls”
Nehemiah 1:1-4, 2:12-20 Stewardship under Adversity I: A Man with a Burden: 1. “I ask them concerning the Jews … and concerning Jerusalem.” 1:2. 2. “I sat down and wept, and mourned.” Vs. 4. 3. “I fasted and prayed.” Vs. 4. 4. “We have sinned against thee.” Included himself. Vs. 6. “So I came to Jerusalem.” 2:11. II: He saw the need and accepted the Challenge. 1. “I arose in the night.” Vs. 12. No fan fare of trumpets. 2. “and viewed the walls of Jerusalem.” Vs. 13. 3. “Then said I unto them,” Presented the challenge to the leaders. 4. “Ye see the distress that we are in.” He shared the entire responsibility. 5. “Let us build up the wall of...
Stewards of Good News
John 3:16, 4:7-12 Books have been known to start wars, (Uncle Tom’s Cabin). A few written words may mean peace or trouble, (Declaration of Independence). Take a long look child! I: “For God so loved.” 1. “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3. “Love is strong as death.” Songs of Soloman 8:6. 2. The love of man: a. A love for country and liberty. b. Love for their loved ones, (King of England). 3. The Greatest Lover, King of England. a. Everlasting love. b. Love stronger than death. c. Love that loves the unlovely. d. Love that triumphs in face of hatred. II: He loved the whole world. 1. Every man that hears the invitation welcome, (pg. 952). 2. “Why will ye die?” 3. “No pleasure in...