Sermon Notes

FROM THE LORD, TO HIS PEOPLE

FROM. THROUGH. TO. FOR. – GOD’S PLAN FOR FUELING HIS MISSION



What is God’s plan to fuel His mission?



“From the Lord”

“To His People”

“Through the Church”

“For the World”



1. The History of Hope Church



Don’t let the bad things you’ve seen churches do distract you from the biblical things you’re called to do as a Jesus follower.



2. The Current Economy



3. Personal Testimony



4. A Biblical Reality



1 CHRONICLES 29:10-14

Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.



1. WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHO HE IS



Our perspective on anything should always start with Creator of everything!



2. WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT HE HAS



v. 11b – “...for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.”



“The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, the world, and those who dwell in it.” - Psalm 24:1



“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:26



3. WE MUST UNDERSTAND WHAT HE GIVES



v. 12a – “Both riches and honor come from you and you rule over all.”



Everything I have is a gift from God



Scripture is very clear about who owns the earth and all the rest of creation. The problem most of us have isn’t with acknowledging that God owns the earth; it’s acknowledging that God owns our stuff. For some reason it’s much easier to think the trees and the animals belong to God, but when God’s ownership extends to our possessions, we find it much harder to believe God owns it all. However, Scripture is very clear that everything on the earth is the Lord’s, including all our personal possessions.” - Ron Blue, God Owns It All



v. 12b – “In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”



“Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt…He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful…” Deuteronomy 8:11-14, 17-18 (NLT)



And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” v.13



“For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” v. 14b



God has entrusted some of what belongs to Him to me



I. STEWARDSHIP IS ABOUT TRUSTING GOD



“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6



“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10



II. STEWARDSHIP IS ABOUT HONORING GOD



Honor God with what you have, no matter how much you have!



“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT)



“A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God's.” - Tim Keller



III. STEWARDSHIP IS ABOUT RECEIVING FROM GOD



“...then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” Proverbs 3:10



Trusting God > Honoring God > Receiving from God