THE CULTURE OF A BIBLICAL CHURCH: THE JOY AND PEACE OF SURRENDER

DR. LARRY LAMB

• There is a reason why sermons on prayer, grace, relationships, marriage, encouragement, prophecy, and other topics are safe. They are all true, but they are threatening.
• Something about the topic of finances makes Christians uncomfortable.
• God doesn’t need our money, but He does how we use it. He asks us to use it to give.

“What we do with money loudly affirms which kingdom we belong to.” Randy Alcorn

• We do not teach that 10% of our resources belong to the Lord. We teach that our resources belong to the Lord. Therefore, being a wise steward covers more than 10% of management but the remaining 90%. Everything belongs to God.

• Our life is to be characterized by surrender. Our Savior surrendered His life to us from eternal punishment.
• Surrendering is not a loss; it’s a . Surrendering is not turmoil; it’s .
• Three Emotions That Block Surrender
  1. – Will God come through?
  2. – Surrender is a weakness.
  3. – I want to surrender, but it’s challenging for me. Why? Fear and Pride.

“If you don’t surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos.” E. Stanley Jones

• Everyone surrenders to something or someone along the journey of life. Who or what you?
• Being surrendered to the Lordship of Christ is not one of many ways to live. It’s the way.
• Biblical messages about giving aren’t difficult because they are biblical; they are difficult because, by nature, we tend to be possessive of what we believe belongs to us. The perception from these kinds of messages is that ” the preacher wants my money.”
• Proverbs 3:9-10 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of your land produces. 10 Then he fill your barns with grain and your vats will overflow with the finest wine.
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
• We can all understand this farm talk of planting. Generosity directly conflicts with self-preservation by nature. Our heart registers generosity, but our registers fear.
• THREE KINDS OF GIVERS:
  1. Give what’s over.
  2. Sees everything as to God.
  3. givers.
• Faithful financial stewardship is not a tragedy or trial to bear. It’s a and one way to put God first in this crucial area of life.
• Anytime we stretch and grow in our faith, we must live through thoughts of fear. Learning to be generous is a growth . Trust God or trust me.
• Am I a manager or owner? If I see money as God’s and I am a , then our systematized giving of 10% of our gross salary is a settled pattern.

1. I SET THE DIMENSION OF MY CROP

• 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this, the farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.
• We get to the level of return we want. A tiny seed planted will yield little return, while a larger number of seeds planted will produce a more significant return.
• This is NOT a get-rich-quick scam. Always check the motive.
• Giving is a loss for those who see themselves as the .

“When you give money to God, you are not giving something away; you are investing.”

2. SETTLING THE ISSUE OF GENEROSITY IS LIBERATING

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
• Some givers start at the tithe level, or 10% of their gross income. Tithing is grace-giving with a goal.
• There are two ways not to give: 1. With reluctance (lack of enthusiasm). 2. From pressure.
• God will do His work with or without us, but He us to team up with Him.

3. A SIMPLE WAY TO KEEP REAPING A HARVEST

• 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
• What’s your financial plan for giving to God’s work? 1. Give if there are leftovers. 2. Give to God first = Joy and Peaceful surrender.
• Aside from salvation, it could be the greatest act of you have ever experienced.
• God set an example of generosity through Jesus: “For God so loved the world that He .” He sowed the seed of salvation in Jesus, and that crop of redemption will continue into eternity.
• Fear, Pride, and Confusion get dissolved on the of surrender and obedience.

Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. I know that the penalty for my sin is physical, spiritual, and eternal death. I acknowledge that I can’t do anything about my situation. But I know that You came to pay the penalty for my sin. I trust in You alone as the One who died in my place. I repent of my sin and trust in You as the only One who can place me in an eternal relationship with the living God. I desire to be Your child. I desire to live as Your child. In Your name. Amen.

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