Entrusted | Portrait of a Steward

Portrait of a Steward
God has created all that exists.
He owns it all.

Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”

Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

God’s steward invests in God’s Mission.

3 Expectations of How to Invest in God’s Mission:

1. Invest in God’s Mission by Serving.

   1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (GW) “For example, the body is one unit and yet has many parts. As all the parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. Whether we are Jewish or Greek, slave or free, God gave all of us one Spirit to drink.” 

   1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”

   www.ncclex.org/serve

2. Invest in God’s Mission by Giving.

   Charles Layne Ask, Thank, Tell
   Thom Rainer I Am A Christian

   Thom Rainer I Am A Christian, “Much debate about giving to the church is focused on what we are required to give rather than what we are blessed to give.”

   2 Corinthians 9:2b “In fact, it was your enthusiasm that stirred up many of the Macedonian believers to begin giving.”

   2 Corinthians 9:7-8 “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Three Characteristics of a Biblical Giver:

A. Be an Intentional Giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”B. Be a Regular Giver.

1 Corinthians 16:2 “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”

C. Be a Generous Giver.

Luke 12:34 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” 

2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

www.ncclex.org/give  

3. Invest in God’s Mission by Sharing Your Testimony.

Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  

John 14:1-2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

John 14:3-4 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:5 “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”   

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Three things to do to tell Jesus’ story

a. Be a good friend.
b. Tell your story how Jesus changed your life.
c. Invite them to join you for worship.