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Christian Life Church
October 17, 2021 8:30 & 10am
Psalm 126:5-6 ESV Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Locations & Times
Christian Life Church Columbia
2700 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
MISSIONS 2022 10.17.21
Psalm 126:5-6 ESV Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6 NASB 1995 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. 6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
I. The People of God embraced contentment.
A. A mixture of happiness and satisfaction.
B. “Weaned from this world.”
C. The last will and testament of William Booth
D. Eight things they understood about money.
1. Jesus is our model. (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-11)
2. Giving is part of our service ─ even in times of lack. (2 Corinthians 8:2; Luke 21:1-4)
3. Giving is viewed as a privilege, not as a necessity. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
4. We are to give ourselves before we give other material things. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)
5. It is to our benefit as well as to the benefit of the church if we give systematically.
6. It is obvious that God sustains the gift and the one who gives it. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Luke 6:38)
7. True riches are from God alone. (Luke 12:16-21; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17, 18)
8. Riches are more than monetary. Christians are rich in faith (James 2:5), rich in His grace (Ephesians 1:7), and rich in His glory (Ephesians 3:16).
II. The People of God were moved with concern.
A. Jesus had compassion on the crowd, because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.
B. Paul’s passion
1. For Israel
2. For the Nations
3. For Individuals
III. The People of God knew they were commissioned.
A. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
B. Revelation 22:17 NKJV And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
IV. The People of God were convinced of the plan presented.
A. The supreme value of Missions
B. Nothing could stop them if God was in it.
C. “Little is much if God is in it.”
D. Our History
Christian Life Lessons
1. The Dead Sea Principle
2. The Next Step
a. Faith Promise
b. Offerings for projects
c. Maintenance and Advancement
d. Next Sunday – Ron Maddox
3. Pastor Cory’s instruction
THE LION & THE LAMB
Section Two:The Book of Acts
#26. What The Early Church Believed About Money 11.5.17
Acts 11:27-30 NASB Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 12:25 NASB And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.
I. Setting the Stage
A. The early church understood the principle of sharing and giving from the very earliest days.
Acts 2:42-47 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
B. The act of Giving is a Grace bestowed upon us by God.
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 NIV And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Grace is defined as…the Good Will of God toward us; the Good Work of God within us.
II. The Church of Acts in Action
A. Jesus is our model. (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-11)
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Philippians 2:5-11 ESV Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
B. Giving is part of our service ─ even in times of lack. (2 Corinthians 8:2; Luke 21:1-4)
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 ESV We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Luke 21:1-4 ESV Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
C. Giving is viewed as a privilege, not as a necessity. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
D. We are to give ourselves before we give other material things. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)
2 Corinthians 8:3-5 ESV For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
E. It is to our benefit as well as to the benefit of the church if we give systematically.
1 Corinthians 16:2-4 ESV Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
F. It is obvious that God sustains the gift and the one who gives it. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Luke 6:38)
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 ESV And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Luke 6:38 ESV give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
G. True riches are from God alone. (Luke 12:16-21; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17, 18)
Luke 12:16-21 ESV And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Revelation 3:17-18 ESV For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
H. Riches are more than monetary. Christians are rich in faith (James 2:5), rich in His grace (Ephesians 1:7), and rich in His glory (Ephesians 3:16).
As we move forward, remember these Christian Life Lessons.
1. Remember the promise before us.
Philippians 4:10-20 NASB But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
a. We can be satisfied regardless of our circumstances.
b. God will supply our needs on the basis of His resources, not ours.
2. Remember the testimony behind us.
a. He has NEVER failed us!
b. Every step of faith has been contested, but also rewarded!
An Encouraging Word
1. Money is just one of the indicators of “Blessing or Bondage.”
2. Acts 14:21, 22 NIV When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.“
3. A Hinge of History
4. The spiritual atmosphere ─ the unseen realm ─ is alive and active with My Presence and My work, says the Lord. It is moving with precision and purpose. If you could see it, you would better know and understand what I am doing, and you would be comforted. For, My entire kingdom is at work to establish My will on the earth, which is beneficial to My people.
1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
5. There may be times Heaven is silent, but there is never a moment that Heaven is inactive.
6. Luke 21:34 ESV But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
Psalm 126:5-6 ESV Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6 NASB 1995 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. 6 He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
I. The People of God embraced contentment.
A. A mixture of happiness and satisfaction.
B. “Weaned from this world.”
C. The last will and testament of William Booth
D. Eight things they understood about money.
1. Jesus is our model. (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-11)
2. Giving is part of our service ─ even in times of lack. (2 Corinthians 8:2; Luke 21:1-4)
3. Giving is viewed as a privilege, not as a necessity. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
4. We are to give ourselves before we give other material things. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)
5. It is to our benefit as well as to the benefit of the church if we give systematically.
6. It is obvious that God sustains the gift and the one who gives it. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Luke 6:38)
7. True riches are from God alone. (Luke 12:16-21; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17, 18)
8. Riches are more than monetary. Christians are rich in faith (James 2:5), rich in His grace (Ephesians 1:7), and rich in His glory (Ephesians 3:16).
II. The People of God were moved with concern.
A. Jesus had compassion on the crowd, because He saw them as sheep without a shepherd.
B. Paul’s passion
1. For Israel
2. For the Nations
3. For Individuals
III. The People of God knew they were commissioned.
A. Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
B. Revelation 22:17 NKJV And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
IV. The People of God were convinced of the plan presented.
A. The supreme value of Missions
B. Nothing could stop them if God was in it.
C. “Little is much if God is in it.”
D. Our History
Christian Life Lessons
1. The Dead Sea Principle
2. The Next Step
a. Faith Promise
b. Offerings for projects
c. Maintenance and Advancement
d. Next Sunday – Ron Maddox
3. Pastor Cory’s instruction
THE LION & THE LAMB
Section Two:The Book of Acts
#26. What The Early Church Believed About Money 11.5.17
Acts 11:27-30 NASB Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Acts 12:25 NASB And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called Mark.
I. Setting the Stage
A. The early church understood the principle of sharing and giving from the very earliest days.
Acts 2:42-47 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
B. The act of Giving is a Grace bestowed upon us by God.
2 Corinthians 8:1-2 NIV And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Grace is defined as…the Good Will of God toward us; the Good Work of God within us.
II. The Church of Acts in Action
A. Jesus is our model. (2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:5-11)
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Philippians 2:5-11 ESV Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
B. Giving is part of our service ─ even in times of lack. (2 Corinthians 8:2; Luke 21:1-4)
2 Corinthians 8:1-5 ESV We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
Luke 21:1-4 ESV Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, 2and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. 3And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
C. Giving is viewed as a privilege, not as a necessity. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
D. We are to give ourselves before we give other material things. (2 Corinthians 8:3-5)
2 Corinthians 8:3-5 ESV For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
E. It is to our benefit as well as to the benefit of the church if we give systematically.
1 Corinthians 16:2-4 ESV Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. 3And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.
F. It is obvious that God sustains the gift and the one who gives it. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11; Luke 6:38)
2 Corinthians 9:8-11 ESV And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Luke 6:38 ESV give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
G. True riches are from God alone. (Luke 12:16-21; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Revelation 3:17, 18)
Luke 12:16-21 ESV And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
2 Corinthians 8:9 ESV For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Revelation 3:17-18 ESV For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
H. Riches are more than monetary. Christians are rich in faith (James 2:5), rich in His grace (Ephesians 1:7), and rich in His glory (Ephesians 3:16).
As we move forward, remember these Christian Life Lessons.
1. Remember the promise before us.
Philippians 4:10-20 NASB But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
a. We can be satisfied regardless of our circumstances.
b. God will supply our needs on the basis of His resources, not ours.
2. Remember the testimony behind us.
a. He has NEVER failed us!
b. Every step of faith has been contested, but also rewarded!
An Encouraging Word
1. Money is just one of the indicators of “Blessing or Bondage.”
2. Acts 14:21, 22 NIV When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.“
3. A Hinge of History
4. The spiritual atmosphere ─ the unseen realm ─ is alive and active with My Presence and My work, says the Lord. It is moving with precision and purpose. If you could see it, you would better know and understand what I am doing, and you would be comforted. For, My entire kingdom is at work to establish My will on the earth, which is beneficial to My people.
1 Corinthians 2:9, But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
5. There may be times Heaven is silent, but there is never a moment that Heaven is inactive.
6. Luke 21:34 ESV But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.