09-23-12 - Can God Trust Me

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Luke 16:1-13 Jesus told His disciples "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.' 3 "The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg--
4 I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.' 5 "So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6 "'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'
7 "Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?' "'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied. "He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.' 8 "The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.  10 "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? 13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
1) The Accountability of the Foolish Steward. Verses 1-2
a. God is the owner and we are the managers.
If I feel like I am the owner, then what I do with what I have will constantly be in conflict with the plan of God.
We cannot call Him Lord and answer “No” when He asks of us!
b. The owner has expectations of the manager.                                                                                
 Areas of expectation for our lives:
A. Ourselves-
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
B. Possessions-
Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

C. Time-
Eph. 5:15-17 15 Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
D. Gifts-
1 Peter 4:10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

E. Good news-
1Thess 2:4  For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

2. The Assessment of the Foolish Steward.
Vs. 3 What shall I do…

3. The Action of the Foolish Steward.  Verses 4-7
– We must use our opportunities wisely Verse 8-9
Ken-  Video on how much is enough.                                                                                                                    
-Trust must be earned  Verses 10-12                                                                      
Matthew  25:14 - called his servant.
Are you doubling your talents?
Have you earned God’s trust?
Are you trustworthy?  
WHAT AM I DOING WITH WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW?
AM I TRUSTWORTHY RIGHT NOW?
 
- Trust can be measured
Saying: You can fool some of the people some of the time, or you can fool all the people all the time but you can’t fool God.                                              
- Be totally devoted to God.  Vs. 13  
13 You cannot be slave to two masters! You will either like one more than the other or you will be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve God and money.

You can trust God… but can God trust you?

09-16-12 AM - The Keys to Successful Living

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09-09-12 AM - Trust Test, Pt. 2

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Stewardship it’s a Matter of Trust”
THE TRUST TEST
Proverbs 3:1-10 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Future – Health – Possessions – Relationships – Family – Job.
Trust is the single most important ingredient in any relationship.              
Take personal responsibility. Do “I” really trust God?                                          
Recognize God as our source. Everything comes from Him.                              
Understand God’s principles. Biblical Principles vs. Worldly.                      
 Surrender everything to God. Act of humility and surrender.                                      
Test God’s promises. He is always faithful and our faith is built.              
I. TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.                                                                      
1. Only God knows everything about us.
2. Only God could lead him correctly.                                                                                             3. Taking inventory and trusting God, starts with me.
Prov. 3:5-10 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
“Lord am I doing my part”?
II. RECOGNIZE GOD AS YOUR SOURCE
Deut. 8:18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.                                                                      
Col.1:15-20 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

III. UNDERSTAND GOD’S PRINCIPLES
First they don’t think they can give and still meet their needs.                
Second- They don’t know how to give.                                                      
If your holding tightly to your money it may be that it has taken Gods place in your heart.
Thirdly- They lack planning.
Too many believers are in “emergency mode”.

Five Principles that make a difference:
 1.The who’s in charge principle-
Ps. 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2. The give and grow principle-
Practicing Stewardship Principles enables us to:
- Find our spiritual gifts. 1Cor. 12
- Increase our faith. Malachi 3:10-11
- Become spiritually sensitive. Malachi 3:8-10
- Be fruitful in God’s Kingdom. Matthew 25:14-30
- Receive blessings from God. Malachi 3:10-12
- Be a blessing to others. Acts 6:30 Gal. 6:10
- Make an eternal contribution to the Kingdom of God. Matt. 6:20
Stewardship training is about raising strong and healthy believers.
3.The do it now principle
  Sitting in the pew Sunday after Sunday will not get you a purple heart in God’s army.                                                                                                    
4.The I’m in debt principle-                                                                              
Romans 1:14 MSG For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.
First to God;
Second to that great cloud of witnesses that has gone before us.
5.The Fountain of Youth Principle-

09-02-12 AM - The Trust Test, Pt. 1

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“Stewardship it’s a Matter of Trust”
THE TRUST TEST
Proverbs 3:1-10 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Future – Health – Possessions – Relationships – Family – Job.
Trust is the single most important ingredient in any relationship.                
Take personal responsibility. Do “I” really trust God?                                            
Recognize God as our source. Everything comes from Him.                                
Understand God’s principles. Biblical Principles vs. Worldly.                        
 Surrender everything to God. Act of humility and surrender.                                        
Test God’s promises. He is always faithful and our faith is built.                
I. TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.                                                                        
1. Only God knows everything about us.
2. Only God could lead him correctly.                                                                                             3. Taking inventory and trusting God, starts with me.
Prov. 3:5-10 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
“Lord am I doing my part”?
II. RECOGNIZE GOD AS YOUR SOURCE
Deut. 8:18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.                                                                        
Col.1:15-20 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

III. UNDERSTAND GOD’S PRINCIPLES
First they don’t think they can give and still meet their needs.                  
Second- They don’t know how to give.                                                        
If your holding tightly to your money it may be that it has taken Gods place in your heart.
Thirdly- They lack planning.
Too many believers are in “emergency mode”.

Five Principles that make a difference:
 1.The who’s in charge principle-
Ps. 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2. The give and grow principle-
Practicing Stewardship Principles enables us to:
- Find our spiritual gifts. 1Cor. 12
- Increase our faith. Malachi 3:10-11
- Become spiritually sensitive. Malachi 3:8-10
- Be fruitful in God’s Kingdom. Matthew 25:14-30
- Receive blessings from God. Malachi 3:10-12
- Be a blessing to others. Acts 6:30 Gal. 6:10
- Make an eternal contribution to the Kingdom of God. Matt. 6:20  
Stewardship training is about raising strong and healthy believers.
3.The do it now principle
  Sitting in the pew Sunday after Sunday will not get you a purple heart in God’s army.                                                                                                      
4.The I’m in debt principle-                                                                                
Romans 1:14 MSG For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike.
First to God;
Second to that great cloud of witnesses that has gone before us.
5.The Fountain of Youth Principle-