This weekend, we are privileged to have Tim Rosen (https://fincompass.org) with us to speak about faith and finances.
Eeehhh...just the mention of money elicits a response (usually a strong one) from both Christian and non-Christian alike.
When a pastor speaks about money, the temptation can be to think that, "money is all the church talks about".
When a financial person speaks about money, the temptation can be to dismiss it as, "just their opinion".
When someone else speaks about money, we are prone to think, "that works for them".
Why do most people struggle when the topic of money is brought up or discussed?
It can be for various reasons, but they all stem from an unbiblical view of money, possessions, and the Giver of both.
For a few moments, let us consider what may be some of the most common reasons people struggle with the topic of money.
We want control. Whenever the topic of money arises, it typically calls us to consider or reconsider how we are using it. This challenges our ability to utilize it in whatever manner we want. Whether it is a spouse, pastor, friend, or financial advisor, someone else telling us what we should or must do creates friction. Solution? Remember that God is our Provider and that neither our money or possessions were ever fully "ours".
We feel shame. At some level, perhaps we know what we ought to have done but struggle to consistently do so. Maybe we tried a budget before or we said this would be the week we would stop eating out as much only to find ourselves making the same choices again. We do not want others to know and so we seek to avoid having any conversations or situations that will require discussion. Solution? Accept that accountability is beneficial for us, not a boogie man to be feared.
We have tried and failed before. If I had a dollar for every time I have wanted to do better with money...I would have more money to try and fail again with. Budgeting, like so many of life's items, is not fun and calls us to accountability. Accountability often brings discomfort and so it is easier to "let it be". The problem is that we find ourselves facing a crisis or financial pain that causes us to reconsider our ways. So, we set off to try again but maybe fail...the discouraging cycle continues. Solution? Embrace the fact that financial stewardship, like any other part of our sanctification, is an imperfect process in which we grow.
We want to use it on us. While this is somewhat similar to the first problem, it differs in that the focus of control is upon us and our wants rather than simply wanting to control it. We want to have the car we want. We want to have the house we want. We have to have the latest phone. We need that membership. We want our kids to enjoy or have...on we could go citing how self-focused we can become about money or possessions. Solution? Find true joy and enjoyment from seeing your goods as gifts from God to perform His glorious work for the Gospel and Christian kindness.
These are just a few of the issues that arise and that I commonly encounter when talking with Christians (and non-Christians sometimes). For followers of Jesus, the real issue is never the surface issue that maybe we identify. In each of the above situations, the real culprit is our sinful flesh wanting to heed whatever temptation pulls upon us rather than kneel to Jesus' Lordship. Before it sounds too austere, let us remember that King Jesus' rule is always for our spiritual betterment, the Gospel's furtherance, the saints' edification, and His rightful glory; the area of finances is no different!
"My money" is simply an avenue to demonstrate who I delight to worship and what I believe will satisfy me. Let us walk away from the feeble prisons that hold us captive about money and possessions to walk in freedom from covetousness, selfishness, and fear.
Our Savior is not only worthy of our love and worship in these areas but He has also provided us the liberty to flourish in them.
But let us never think that we can claim to be His followers and continue to abide consistently in such frail and sinful mindsets. Jesus' words remain stark..."No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."
Who does your money and possessions say you worship?
Sincerely,
Pastor Paul Norton
Know Your Role
Know Your Role
The role that I am in has a profound affect on how I live. The life of a doctor should and does look profoundly different than the life of a mechanic. They study different things. They have different qualifications and skills. Their role or status requires them to be and do certain things.
Likewise, in our lives as believers, our standing or position as followers of Christ should prompt us to behave and live in a certain way. The apostle Paul challenges us about this in Colossians 3. As he starts the chapter, Paul reminds the believers at Corinth of the focus of their role.
First, we as believers must have an eternal focus. Paul states this by using a rhetorical question, “If ye then be risen in Christ, seek those things that are above.” It is a normal recognition that those who are believers have an eternal outlook. To have any other focus is the antithesis of fulfilling our role. Our eternal outlook provides the foundation for how we live in our role.
Second, as believers to accomplish our role, we must crucify our flesh. In other words, put to death the former ways that we lived within. Why? Because our role has changed. Instead of living for self which is accomplished in the flesh, we are now living for eternity and the glory of God. Therefore, our flesh must be destroyed. Paul uses a bold term here for this action - “Mortify.” This communicates an intentional removal and destruction of our desires to be replaced by Christ’s.
Third, to fulfill our role, we must live in the Spirit allowing the fruit of God to be produced within our lives. Why do we do this? Well, as in every role of life, there are specific goals and achievements that we are trying to reach. Whether it is a degree, a position, or a qualification, there are always goals that we pursue in our roles. As a believer, in my role, the goal is to be like Christ, to be changed into His image. Why? So we properly fulfill the role of an obedient servant of Christ so that God is glorified and the Gospel can go forward through our life.
So, how are you doing in the role that you are in? Are you an example of the fruit of the Spirit being created in the life of someone submitted to God, or are you an example of the flesh, left unchecked, ruining your fulfillment of the great role Christ has given to you as His follower?
Sincerely,
Pastor Derek Whitman
A Mission that Cannot Fail
The primary mission of the church has always and will forever be the evangelization of the world. Throughout the New Testament, there are multiple imperatives that God gives his church to accomplish that reality. Scriptures declare that God has given pastors for the "perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry." One must ask, "What ministry does God want me to engage in?" Is it Awana? Is it music or media? The American mindset of church "ministry" fails when it misses the true mission of Christ’s church. While these ministries can be useful and helpful in our context, if they disregard the undergirding reality of making disciples, they have fallen far short of the Biblical mandate. (Mat. 28:16-20)
J. Gresham Machen writes in his book The Origin of Paul’s Religion, “The Christian movement in 35 A.D. would have appeared to a superficial observer to be a Jewish sect. Thirty years later it was plainly a world religion.”As history has continued throughout the ages, the march of the gospel and expansion of Christianity has greatly increased for the glory of God. From the beginning of time, God has initiated his redemptive plan to save peoples from all nations, tongues, people-groups, and tribes (Rev. 7:9). This redemptive plan has moved forward through a variety of means but now rests in the proactive leading of God and the active engagement of Christ’s church. Scripture indicates the mission of His church: to display the glory of God and declare the gospel to every nation, tribe, and tongue (Is. 56, Matt. 28:18-20, Rom. 15:7-13).
Perhaps one of the best examples of Gospel ministry can be found in the book of Acts chapter 14:
“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” Acts 14:21-23
These three verses provide a model that carries on throughout the book of Acts and the remainder of the New Testament.
Gospel proclamation - “they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many”
Communities converted - “Confirming the souls of the disciples"
Churches planted - “And when they had ordained them elders in every church”
Churches nurtured - “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith”
This pattern of Proclaim, Convert, Plant, and Nurture is seen consistently throughout the Scriptures. Therefore, gatherings of believers within a community should be involved in every stage of strategically pushing this gospel mission and model forward. Essentially, every church that takes seriously the Great Commission must take seriously the need to plant more churches that will make disciples who plant more churches.
Be encouraged Faith Baptist, Jesus Christ will not be stopped in carrying out the promise of Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The promise of the gospel stands, “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14)
Sincerely,
Pastor Jordan Kosinski