Why Are We Encouraged To Give? (Part 2)

Another word for giving is "tithing".  Boy that sure does ruffle some feathers.  And a variety of reasons for why we are not responsible to tithe is given from "it's under the law" to "I've not been called to tithe". 

Hebrews chapter 7 is very inclusive concerning the subject of tithing.  First the word tithe means 10%.  In Hebrews chapter 7:1-4, Abraham (which lived before the law was given in Exodus and Leviticus) gave tithes to Melchisedec (King of Salem) which was a picture of Jesus Christ (Vs. 3-4).  Therefore, tithing cannot be just a principle understood under the law.  It is a believers way to show God how thankful you are for what He has given to you!!!  It does require attitude and actions---II Corinthians 9:6-15---a cheerful giver---with a smile of worship towards the One who has given us so much!!!

"Once you are sold out to Him, he expects us to "tithe" our monies and our time including our talents (another gift of the Lord)."  Time is a precious commodity and a precious gift that God has given to us--what are we doing to show the Lord that we are thanful for the time on this earth that He has given to us?

"Only one life shall soon be passed; only what's done for Christ will last." 

There are "givers" and there are "takers".  Some would give you the shirt off their back, while others complain that the sacrificial giving of the shirt was not enough.  They are takers.  Takers are complainers when someone does something for them.  But they don't want to be bothered about giving for anything concerning the church or anyone in distress.  They are self centered and yet never satisfied.  Which are you today, Christian?

Are you giving to the One who gave everythign up for you?  (John 1:11)  Or are you taking and/or not giving anything to hlep the cause of Christ--I want to challenge you, believer, to ask the Lord what He would have you to do---the choice is totally up to you.  (Joshua 24:15)

----Pastor Fryer

How We Can Become Wise (I Corinthians Chapter 1)

Introduction:  Paul writes this book from Rome and gives a very descriptive view of his world in Romans 1:18-32.  This was the society in which he lived.  When you have proud people, depending on human wisdom, adopting the lifestyle of the world you are going to have problems.  This is the theme of the Book of Corinthians and Paul is addressing the many issues of the Corinthian church.

Paul opens his letter reminding them of their calling in Christ.  He points out several important aspects of their calling.

1.  Called to be Holy (vs. 1-9)
     A.  Set apart to God (vs. 1-3)
           Church in the Greek means "a called out people".  Each church has two addresses--a geographical address "at Corinth" and a spiritual address "in Christ Jesus".  Eph. 1--"in" found 21x; vs 4-13 "Saints"--All who know Christ as saints because they have been set apart by God and for God.

     B.  Enriched by God's grace--vs 4-6 "Enriched" translates to "plutocrat" a very wealthy person.  Each believer is gifted by  God.  II Cor 8:7; Gen 24:10, 27

     C.  Enriched Jesus to return --vs. 7 -- Christians expecting Christ's return will live beyond reproach.  1 John 2:28-3:3; Ps. 119:6; Phil 1:20; I Peter 4:16

     D.  Depending on God's faithfulness--vs. 8, 9 "confirm" a legal term which settles a transaction.  Eph. 1:13, 14; Rom. 8:15; II Cor 6:18; Gal. 4,5


II.  Called to Fellowship: vs 10-25

     A.  Is Christ divided?  Vs. 10-13
  
           There is one Saviour and one gospel.  Gal 1:6-9; IITim 1:9, 10; I Tim 2:3-6
           They were focusing on the messenger and not the message.  I Cor 3:3-7.  Only Christ should have the preeminence.  Col. 1:18; John 3:31; Rom. 14:9; Heb 1:4; 3:3

     B.  Were you baptized in the name of Paul?  Vs. 13-17
     
           It cost something for each believer to be baptized in that day.  Phil 3:10; I Peter 2:20; I Cor 4:10. 
           Paul was not minimizing baptism, he was putting it into its proper perspective.

     C.  Was Paul crucified for you?  Vs.  18-25
 
           Paul brings the believer into remembrance of the cross, the central theme of our lives.  Gal. 6:17; Eph. 2:16; Col 1:10; 2:14
           The key word in this portion of scripture is wisdom.  It is found 8 times.  Rom 11:33; Ps. 104:24
           There are three attitudes to the cross:
            1.  They stumble at the cross--the Jews looked to the miracles and the cross is a picture of weakness. 
                  They were looking for the Messiah.  Acts 1:6
                 They could not put together Ps. 22 and Isaiah 53 with their idea of the Kingdom.  Luke 24:13-55
                  The Gospel of Jesus is powerful.  Rom. 1:16; I Cor 1:25

            2.  Some laugh at the cross.  The Greeks looked at the cross as foolishness.  They looked at the cross from man's point of view.
                 Vs. 19--Isaiah 29:14; Acts 17:30
                 Vs. 20--the wise (the expert); the scribe (the interpreter or writer) and the disputer (the philosopher or debater)

            3.  Some believed and experienced the power and wisdom of the cross.  Vs 21.  Those who have been called by God's grace, and have responded by faith realize Christ is God's power and God's Wisdom.  II Thess. 2:13-14.
    

Operation Mobilization for Joplin's Tornado's Victims (Galatians 6:10)

The Scriptures are clear about having a set plan and goal (Prov. 29.:18)

The Scriptures are also clear about having a giving spirit.  (Prov 28:26, 27; 19:17)

Step One (Matt. 18:19,20)

Prayer teams praying for the following in a random order plus anything you may consider to pray about:
   Those who lost a loved one, homes, their jobs, their cars, those who have had to displace their families until they can rebuild, those who have no place to go while trying to rebuild their lives...
   For the emergency responders:  safety, wisdom, guidance, grace for their families while they are separated during this time...
   For the Lord to get the glory through this whole ordeal by sould being saved and reclaim who have fallen away.

Step Two: For the unsaved (Matt. 5:16)

  Going as a group to volunteer to help in whatever capacity in Joplin.

Step Three:  For the saved (Gal. 6:10)

   Helping sister churches in need, especially Southside Baptist Church.  Making time to help them clear their lot and whatever we can do to be an encouragement to those who have lost their church building.

Step Four:

  For this church to be a part of the realizing that we have a responsibility to help those in need. (Luke 10:30-37)
  No act is too small when it comes to ministry.  Take an offering to be used to help meet the needs.

  Bring food and other necessities through a church wide offering.  Toiletries, anything that a person needs to keep their dignity and sense of pride.

Mother Theresa said "we must be the change that we are wanting".  This world cannot be changed without God's people stepping out of their comfort zones and looking for ways to minister.  We must come out and go out to be accepted in.  (Luke 17:7-10)

Step Five:

   Be involved in personal witnessing through scripture distribution and co laboring with the members to help provide spiritual aid.  (John 4:1-14)

Take A Moment To Be Thankful

Take A Moment And Be Thankful For These Rights

1.  To worship where and when you want to.  In other countries you are told who, when, and where to worship if you are allowed to worship or believe at all.

2.  Free Speech--in some countries you are even told who to vote for!  We are so blessed!

3.  To Be What We Want To Be--others are told in some foreign countries, even what their occupations will be. 

Now is the time to be all that God wants you to be--"Finally, my brethren, (and sisters), be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole (entire) armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (tricks) of the devil."  Ephesians 6:10-11

The Cost of Freedom

We constantly encourage our children to be proud of their heritage and rightly so, for our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, fathers, mothers, grandparents fought  so bravely to keep our country free from attacks, cold wars, and discrimination. But we forget the teaching of Jesus and what He died for that the choices our children make today regarding God's reality is met with the consequences of heaven or hell.

Our children learn about all our major heroes and have heroes of their own, but the real heroes should be those from the Bible, like David, Daniel, Paul, Jesus, Esther, Ruth, etc.  We don't allow our children to know about Bible heroes and the freedom that these people knew, if we are allowing satan to keep us from serving the Lord.  Thin about your contribution to your child's spiritual development and ask yourself---Is it enough for my child to be regarded a hero of the faith?  Let me challenge you, parents, to read Hebrews 11--yes, the entire chapter--with your children this week, and learn a great deal about the "Hall of Faith".  It will be a great Bible study for you and your family.  Stay in God's Word!!!  It will be one o fthe family traditions that your children will remember long after you are gone from this life.

--Pastor Fryer

When Faith is Tested

FAITH:  Forsaking All I Trust Him. 

We say that we have faith, but rarely, when we re tested, do we exercise that faith that we are so readily to say that we have.  The Bible describes faith as, "the substance of thigns hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen."  (Hebrews 11:1) 

So in actuality, we are to exercise our faith as a muscle, growing from the act of faith, and showing our faith by our commitment to and trust (belief) in the Savior. 

The next step in the ladder of Christian growth is the step of service.  Many Christians have faith for salvation, but the true test comes when we actually have faith for daily provision, and in turn give our complete dedication to the One (Jesus) who supplies that need.  I supposed the best example of tru faith is Abraham, who followed God.  Abraham's obedience to go to a place that he had never seen before and follow the Lord basically, "to the ends of the earth", is a prime example of true faith---which many people would label as "blind faith".  Blind people have to have a guide, so must we--who is your guide?  Is it that check that comes regularly?  Or do you pray over every bill and secure that help from the One who secured your eternal home? 

Let's dissect the words for the acrostic of faith:

1.  Forsaking:  literally means leaving it and never thinking about it or wanting anything to do with it again.

2.  All:  Everything and Nothing....giving everything to Him and allowing nothing to stop you from giving it all to Him.

3.  I :  personal pronoun--literally means you and yourself.

4.  Trust:  Believe

5.  Him:  Jesus and all that He says to you about what you need to do and Himself and how He will do what He promises to do.

I want to challenge you this week, month, year, or however long it takesyou...Have Faith In God!!!


---Pastor Fryer

Why Was Jesus' Birth So Important?

1.  Prophecy Foretold:  Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6--both verses meant that God's honor and promises were necessary to be kept to the world.  In fact, the first mention of His provision of a Savior is in Genesis 3:15.  Adam and Eve had just sinned.  God knew that they would, and had a prepared plan for mankind.

2.  The World Was Prepared for His Birth---Galatians 4:4-5--The Roman world had updated its roadways.  All entrances to Jerusalem were guarded with sentries.  Rome had made trade routes possible because of the Pax Romana (Roman Peace)--which was an update by Rome to create peace among all nations and in the process create trade.  All roads were paved with stone, making travelling easier and more accessible.  It was a time of great advancement to the known Roman world.

3. The Lineage of Jesus Prepared The Way --Matthew 1:1-17---42 generations had passed and now Jesus was born of Mary preparing the world for the greatest person ever born.

4.  Jesus Would Be Announced To The World By A Living Relative --His cousin, John the Baptist (who was six months older than Jesus).  Luke 1:26-38 gives the great detail of Jesus' relation to John.  John 1:19-34 gives the purpose of John, to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness, to prepare the way of the Lord."

All appropriations and conditions were formed in place for the coming of the Messiah--the Redeemer of the World.  It is necessary that we remember that God does everything in His own time (Eccl. 3:11).  There have been several comments made by leaders both religious and non religious  why Jesus came when He did.  The most ridiculous is that "it's really not important that He was born, the most important part of Jesus' life is that He died on the cross."  CHRISTIAN, IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT JESUS WAS BORN!!  IF HE HAD NOT BEEN BORN, HE COULD NOT HAVE DIED, AND YOU WOULD STILL BE DEAD IN YOUR SINS!! 

How could we trust in a risen savior, if He had not been born at all? 

So you see, it is important that Jesus' lineage, life, and all that can be read and found be researched.  He is not just the baby in the manger.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!  Determine in your heart and life that you will not leave Jesus of your Christmas list.  The Christian's commitment level should not get less, but greater this time of year.  Let me challenge you to upgrade your commitment level this year and rejoice for the Lord has been born so that those who have Him in their heart may tell others, like the Shepherds did on the eventful night.

---Pastor Fryer