Rhema South Coast Family Church

So we understand from last week that Paul is speaking here about the lifestyle of the disciple and that part of the pattern God wants us to follow is to be active in BUILDING COMMUNITY

This is our second text Scripture for this series.

Today we want to dig into “eating the good of the land” or “walking in God’s abundance”

The PATTERN here is “LIVING YOUR LIFE TO GLORIFY GOD”

The purpose of God in your life and therefore in His Church is that we “Glorify Jesus” and in so doing “Worship God” in Spirit and Truth.

God looks at the heart, not our outward appearances.

God doesn’t need our resources. He wants our hearts.

How does God have our hearts?
When we turn to Him and Believe His Word and Trust that HE is who HE says HE is!

AND THEREFORE, WE ARE WHO HE SAYS WE ARE!

GOD’S abundance has been made available to each of us who are in Christ, through the Cross,

With God there is a big difference between worldly riches and Godly abundance.

Worldly Riches

This refers mainly to having financial and material assets and doesn’t mean you are prosperous.

a) Firstly, speaks about Prosperity

- Referring to success, primarily spiritual wellbeing as a result of your heart been redeemed by Christ’ blood it encompasses your Spirit, Soul and Body and is not measured or defined by material wealth only.

b) Secondly, it speaks to Abounding and becoming Successful

- This speaks about having the means to have ALL your my needs met and having over to help others and be a blessing.

No lack or shortfall but rather increase and beyond.

- It speaks about been successful in every endeavor and conquering in all the areas of life.

- Health, wealth relationships, Mental Health & Emotional

Key Points:

- Prosperity in scripture involves the ability to overcome challenges.

-God's promises are comprehensive, covering all aspects of life.

That is why the fruit of the Spirit are SO vital in our lives, because they reflect not only the character of Christ but His INWARD ABUNDANCE!

PEACE (Shallom) actually means “wholeness” nothing missing, nothing broken.

If you just have money in the bank and lots of material possessions, you can be as poor as someone who has nothing, you can still have a poverty mind set and broken relationships.

Jesus tells us the story of the Rich Ruler in Luke 12:16-21 who built bigger barns for his wealth.

God wasn’t upset that the man built bigger barns.

Because in the Old Testament, Joseph did something similar. Actually, God told Joseph there would be a famine, so in response, Joseph built many big barns to store up resources to ensure all the people would have enough to eat.

God was upset with the man who built bigger barns because he was building them for himself instead of seeking the Lord and using his resources to serve others.

It was a heart issue.

This further revealed the condition of the man’s heart, he was trusting himself and didn’t believe that God was enough, or that God would provide for him.

As a result, the man trusted in his own abilities and resources instead of putting his trust in God.

This serves as a caution to all who are His Disciples that pursuing wealth with selfish intent more often than not leads to spiritual downfall.

- Let the Lord help you ensure your desire for prosperity align with His will to extend Christ’ kingdom. (Follow God’s pattern of been generous, tithe, sow into Godly projects and a be blessing to the poor)

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- Build Positive Spiritual Practices into your life, by Delighting in the Lord and His Word:

a) Find pleasure and satisfaction in God's Word.

b) Choose the Bible over daily necessities even under extreme pressure.

c) Meditate on the Word regularly.

d) Be committed to the “Great Commission as a Disciple of the Lord (Become a pattern to the Nations).

e) Pray for the peace and success of Israel (the Jews).

- Choose to let the Lord “ADD things to your life.

Focus on your willingness and obedience by seeking God's kingdom resting in the truth that the Lord truly is able to afford you!

The PATTERN here is “LIVING YOUR LIFE TO GLORIFY GOD”