Introduction:
1. This is God’s church because gave His life for us (Acts 20:28).
2. “Commitment” is so important to God that He searches the world for it (2 Chronicles 16:9). Each Sunday this month, we are becoming aware of a different commitment you and I can make to God through His church. Last week we looked at the ministry of the church – how we are to care for others. This week we’ll look at the how we are to support the church’s ministry.
Thesis: The church needs our support in many ways in order to carry out the mission and ministry God has in mind for us.
Key Question: How can we support the ministry of God’s church?
God gives the answer in several places. Let’s look at a few of them today.
A. By attending consistently
(Hebrews 10:25).
1. Why don’t more people attend church services? In an article for On Mission magazine, Dianne Butts, gave the top ten reasons she’s heard why people skip church. Here’s what she wrote,
10. I’ve been thinking I’d like to go to church. But I don’t know anyone. And I don’t know what to do, where to go, what to expect when I get there.
9. I don’t believe in God. Christians are dangerous fanatics, politically unpopular and always trying to shove their beliefs on others.
8. There are so many denominations . . . even Christians can’t agree among themselves what the Bible means.
7. There are so many churches . . . I don’t know which one to go to. Why should I come to yours?
6. Church is for "good" people who haven’t messed up. You don’t know where I’ve been or what I’ve done.
5. Church is not important.
4. I don’t need to go to church. I can worship God, even when I’m fishing.
3. I don’t have nice clothes to wear to church.
2. I don’t have time. Sunday morning is the only day I can sleep late.
1. People in churches are hypocrites.
ON Mission, July/Aug 2001, p. 46-48
2. The Bible directs us to attend worship services and Bible studies consistently for two reasons. First, for mutual encouragement. Second, because Jesus’ return and God’s final judgement is drawing closer every minute. Listen to Hebrews 10:25: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
B. By living like Jesus faithfully
(Ephesians 4:1).
1. On Monday, June 11, 2001 convicted Oklahoma City Bomber, Timothy McVeigh was executed at a Federal Prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. McVeigh issued a final statement in which he identified himself with the words of 19th century British poet, William Henley. The closing words of Henley’s poem, "Invictius" stand as a chilling epitaph to McVeigh’s time on this planet.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/ap/20010611/us/henley_bio_and_excerpt_2.html
2. McVeigh’s quote stands in stark contrast to the words of Ephesians 4:1: “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” The same idea is found in other verses too. “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” “We pray … that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way….” (Philippians 1:27; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12)
3. Every day we are asked to make an important decision: “Who will be the captain of your soul?” One day each of us will face stand before our Creator. Every person will answer His question, "Who is captain of your soul?" Only those who shaped their lives around Jesus Christ will know the right answer.
C. By giving cheerfully
(1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 8:12 and 9:7).
1. In an article for Newsweek, Jane Bryant Quinn gave seven tips for financial health. They included things like lower your spending, get out of debt and have an emergency fund on hand – basic money management principles. Exactly what you would expect to read in an article like that. But one thing she wrote jumped off the page. It was the kind of thing you would expect a preacher to say, she wrote, "What you do with your money shows where your values lie."
Newsweek, August 27, 2001, p. 38
2. The Bible gives clear direction on how we are to act out our values with the money God has entrusted to us.
We need to give according to what we receive from God when we receive it. 1 Corinthians 16:2 says, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income….”
We need to give based on what we have out of a willing heart. 2 Corinthians 8:12 says, “If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”
We need to learn how to enjoy giving to God through the church. 2 Corinthians 9:7 points out that “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Conclusion:
After terrorists attacked America on September 11, 2001, people opened up their hearts and their pocketbooks to give to those directly affected by the tragedy. The American Red Cross received $547 million dollars for the cause, but until there was a public uproar, the Red Cross was not planning on using all of the money collected for the purpose it was given.
Siebel Systems in San Mateo, CA responded to the news that the Red Cross would not use all the money for the victims, by asking for the $3.2 million dollars they donated back. When the local Red Cross officials promised it would be used for the purpose it was donated, the company let them keep the money.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/kpix/20011102/lo/1674_1.html
The Red Cross has a responsibility to use the money the way the donors intended, and are doing so now. In the same way, God has a right to insist that we use everything He’s provided us with in the way He’s intended. After all, all we have isn’t ours. Ultimately, it all belongs to God. We are simply His stewards, using all He has entrusted to us according to His will.
A few weeks ago I asked you to indicate your commitment to protect the unity of God’s church through loving acts, up lifting speech and submission to the church leadership. And many of us raised our hands to make that commitment.
Then we made commitments to share in the mission of the church and to participate in the ministry of the church. And so now I need to ask you to consider your support of God’s church.
Application: Are you committed to supporting the ministry of His church?
1. Bow your heads and close your eyes so you can focus your attention on God’s Holy Spirit. While everyone has their heads bowed and their eyes closed ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you review your attitudes and actions about caring for others.
2. Please think about the following questions.
Do you believe God can provide all you need in order to support the ministry of His church? Can he give you the strength and the time to attend worship services and Bible studies? Can He help you pay all your bills while you give money to Him through the church?
Do you believe He will? Will God help you get up and join others in Sunday School class to learn about Jesus? Will God stretch the 90% left after you tithe to meet all you needs?
Will you act like you believe God not only can but will meet all your needs as you support His church? That’s the issue.
NEXT STEPS & Responding to God:
1. Individuals prompted by the Holy Spirit will indicate their commitment to support the ministry of God’s church by filling out a response card.
2. Read through and fill out the card together.
I will support God’s Church.
I will attend the Morning Worship services consistently.
I will attend Sunday School and Morning Worship consistently.
I will attend Sunday School, Morning Worship as well as other services.
I will do all I can to live like Jesus, asking God’s Holy Spirit to point out whatever changes I need to make.
I will begin tithing and will believe God will meet my needs.
I will continue to tithe and will continue believing God will keep on meeting my needs.
I will tithe and give more because I believe God will give me all I need to be a cheerful giver.
Name _____________________________
