The Kingdom of God is NOT in RECESSION Are you Fearful or Faithful
By Dr. Jan Harbuck, AEGA Vice President
Being on the front lines here at AEGA, I have seen many ministers, churches and ministries through the years struggle with being faithful — especially in the area of giving. Most of the time they get very discouraged because God is not blessing them, not just financially, but in the growth of their ministry. In talking with them I receive many excuses why they cannot be faithful with the giving commitment they made when they received their credentials. Such excuses range from, “I have too many bills to pay,” “I need the money to send my child to college,” “I can’t remember to send it,” or, “the people in my church or ministry won’t support me,”… etc, etc, etc.” In hearing these excuses my question is, How can God bless you and cause people to support your vision if you are unwilling to keep your promises and commitments? In my early years, I struggled with faithfulness too. Then God helped me to realize that faithfulness in every area, especially giving (which included giving beyond what is “required”), was a key principle to a having a successful ministry, and in becoming a true leader and an overcomer.
Those of you who truly understand the heart of AEGA know we are not (and never have been) about “money,” but about “faithfulness.” And if you know your Bible, it speaks of the same. Now with the US economy on the downward spiral, fear is trying to grip the hearts of Christians (both ministers and laymen), and many are withholding giving to the work of God. But is this pleasing to God? Are we only to be faithful in the good times? Do we only give when the economy is healthy?
God doesn’t need a healthy, normal womb for a woman to conceive and bear a child. In Judges 13:2-3 (conception and birth of Samson) the scripture says, “And there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.” Not convinced? (continued)
In Psalm 113.9 the scripture says “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.” And in Luke 1:5-37 the scripture tells us that Elizabeth was barren and well advanced in years, but God brought forth a child out of a barren womb. So what is my point? God doesn’t need a healthy economy to supply our needs! At this time in history our country seems to be slipping away from us, and the future is very uncertain. But we must remember that most of the time God provides “just enough” at “just the right time”. So what must we do? We must not fear … but remain faithful in all areas of our Christian life. And yes, that most assuredly includes our giving, as well as keeping our commitments to whomever! This is called integrity, and it reflects Christian character.
God can make the bitter water sweet … He can bring water out of the rock … God wants daily trust in Him, not trust in our economy. Remember the Lord’s Prayer … “Give us this day our daily bread” (not weekly, monthly or yearly). I’m not saying we should not plan for the future, but we must trust God with the future! In fact, it is unwise not to invest for the future. However, when times get tough is not the time to withhold our faithful giving to the work of God.
God can supply our needs even in a bad economy, just as easily as He can in a prosperous one. Since the “great depression” we Americans have lived a relatively prosperous and comfortable lifestyle. Unlike many countries in which my husband and I have traveled, the U.S. (regardless of our many faults) has enjoyed the blessings of God — many of which are due to our Godly principles and unselfish giving to those in need. That’s why all foreign people desire to come to this great land of the FREE. Many say that in the future Social Security may not exist, but God’s security is inexhaustible and limitless!
So don’t fear, but BE FAITHFUL … God still specializes in miracles which are not dependent on our economy.
BIRTHDAYS
2 Helen Kenefake
3 Tony Mitchum
5 Linae Rice
Heather Grant
7 Doris Montgomery
Jayden Grimes
10 Jon Morton
12 Bethany Harvey
13 Angela Antone
16 Sky Sapp
19 Gayle Dowell
Racheal Achieng
26 Darlene Campbell
Breanna Antone
ANNIVERSARY
4 Lyle & Marilyn Heitz
18 Cole and Sherry Lawson
22 Tommy & Jenny Bailey
Colossians 2:2 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love; so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ”
How do you stay connected to people in the church? It is very easy to come to service every Sunday, worship God, get blessed by the teaching of the Word by Pastor, and then go home not really connected to anyone in the church. According to this verse we are to be “encouraged in heart and united in love.”
In order to encourage each other there must be some communication and fellowship. The Message Bible says, “we are to be woven into a tapestry.” That is really being connected when we allow ourselves to be knitted with other people into a tapestry.
We have times at church where we have meals or other activities in order to unite the church in fellowship. Other ways of being connected to the body of New Life is praying for one another. We have a directory available if there are people you do not know. You can put a face to a prayer request or send a card for a birthday or anniversary. Even sending an e-mail or message on facebook helps keep you connected to the people at New Life as we “encourage one another.”
You can start by coming to the baptismal service at the Adamsons tonight. Encouage those who are being baptised. Get to know the person you sit next to in church.
We are considering the subject of the Great Commission and how we are to fulfill it in the world. We must truly understand what is involved in communicating the Gospel to the world. In order to “Go” successful we must understand why we were invited to “Come.” Were we invited because we possessed some great ability or quality? What did God see when He looked at us? Was it love at first sight or love in spite? In spite of what He saw He loved us. Why? Because He chose to. He made no qualifications when He said “Come.” Whosoever will, let him come. “ He who comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”
It is not our job to change the world, it is our job to offer people a way to change their lives. The world system will never change until Jesus comes again. We need to expend our efforts changing the hearts of people and not trying to control their behavior. God in Jesus was reconciling the world(people) unto Himself. It was unconditional and universal. No one was left out. It is not to tell people how “bad” they are but that “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ” The Great Commission is that Jesus payed the price for their redemption. When we realize the meaning of “come”, we understand the importance of “go”.
Psalm 100:1-2 (Message Bible)
“ On your feet now–applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.”
When was the last time you laughed in church? Wait-when was the last time you even laughed or had fun? Being a Christian does not suddenly make you somber, sad, gloomy, and no fun to be around. There is a time to be serious, to worship, to praise. There is also a time to laugh, have fun, and enjoy being with other Christians or your family.
Pastor Jerry is one person who enjoys having fun, sharing jokes, or just playing and laughing. One time we were on our way to minister in Lexington with Bill Smith and another couple. In the car we joked, teased, told stories, and had fun. When we got to the meeting, Jerry got up to minister. He was very serious and intent in his teaching. This couple could not believe how he could go from laughing to the next minute teaching the Word. Jerry told them, “I’m serious all the time. When I am having fun, I am serious about having fun.”
I know that I need to laugh more. The Word says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Maybe there would be less sickness among Christians if they would get serious about having some fun and laughter in their lives.
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.” Rev. 22:17
We are familiar with “The Great Commission” but do not think much about “The Great Invitation.” The main word in the Great Invitation is “Come.” When we receive an inviation, it means that an offer has been made and we must decide how we will respond to the offer. Invitations usually have certain conditions attached. There can be a cost, time restriction, expiration date, or other conditions required to qualify you for the offer. With the Great Invitation there is no condition other than come. It is a standing invitation. Whenever we decide to take the offer, we are immediately welcomed.
There is nothing to be done on our part but respond to the invitation given. There is no self preparation necessary. We do not need to change a thing. The words of the most notable invitational hymn tell the story. “Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidest me come to thee, oh, Lamb of God I come. I come.”
It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.
After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heart that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.
The moral of the story is: Just learn to live with the Pricks in your life!!
I Cor. 12:24-27 (Mess.) “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. You are Christ’s body–that’s who you are!! You must never forget this.”
“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon those who heard these things.” Acts 5:5
We have here one of the most intriguing stories in the New Testament. This is a story of the death of a believer for lying to the Holy Spirit. It appeared that he had lied to Peter, but Peter said it was God to whom he had lied. As a result of this lie Ananias fell down dead. My question is this. Who killed Ananias and later his wife, Sapphira? The issue in this story is not about the amount of money involved or even giving it to God. It is about presenting something to God and telling Him this is all I have when I know there is more I am not giving. There is much grace in God’s compassion or there would be many more deaths in the church for lying to God. “I don’t have time.” “That’s all I can do.” “I can’t do all things through Christ Jesus.” “I can’t afford to give more.” If I know that I am not giving my all, but tell God I am doing the best I can is that not lying to the Holy Spirit. Don’t promise God something and then not do it. Be careful about making vows and not keeping them. Are we immune to what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? Again I ask the question, who killed Ananias? Did God kill him? Was it the devil? Or, did he commit suicide?
Today’s sermon, “Who killed Ananias?”
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